Colorado Trail Log
List of trails I have ridden. Non exhaustive list of trails in the area.
Favorite Scale: *Good | **Great | ***Fantastic
Click on Underlined area for Trailforks link!
Golden, CO:
This was an absolute adrenalin rush of a trail! Steep, loose, and a little of everything. I recommend shuttling to the top if you have the ability to. Otherwise you are either in for a long grueling pedal up a (sort of) busy, paved road. Or if you are feeling ambitious, climb Chimney Gulch itself. This would be brutal it seems however. I was told a local high school team trains there by climbing the uphill so it is doable. The top section is very chunky and technical. Lots and lots of sharp big rocks. Be cautions of the last left turn before getting to the parking lot. The trail is overgrown a bit and hiding a fence post on the right side of the trail that will most certainly grab your handlebars and throw you! I did this so trust me, I know it will do it! Take a breather at the parking lot ands get ready for a fast and flowy second half to the bottom of the trail. A couple rocky spots and blow out turns to watch for but mostly really fun!
Blackhawk, CO:
Maryland Mountain Quartz Valley Park:
Historic Gilpin Tramway: (Green)
This is a very easy and short climbing trail connecting the parking lot and the rest of the trail system. Used by hikers as well so be cautious.
This is a fairly easy climbing trail as well. Can get a bit steep in spots. Roughly the first mile is a handful of switch backs. Near the top of the switchbacks is the entrance for Paymaster trail. If you feel like not climbing the entirety of the trail but want to ride Fast Money still, Fast Money will cross this trail at about 1.5 miles out of the 2 mile climb. Truthfully, the last .5 mile of the climb get the steepest and have a bit of tech and the descent to the crossing point may or may not be worth it in my opinion. You will have to climb to the top of this trail to access trails such as Hard Money or Ore Chute. I did not ride those trails but I have heard good things about Hard Money. Ore Chute is a double black diamond and definitely looks extremely difficult from the short bit we walked to check out the trail.
This is a very fun trail! The first bit is a bit steeper and faster but after you cross Easy Money, it turns into a bit mellower grade descent with lots and lots of little jumps. A couple of sections have some fun back to back berms and the trail ends on a steep little exposed section back on Historic Gilpin Tramway. A really great trail for skilled riders looking for something playful and fast or a good trail easy to o slow on for a beginner.
This trail starts about halfway up Easy Money. Starts off with a short easy climb. Along the trail, you will pass an old abandoned mine with some cool views next to it. The initial part of the descent is some very steep and tight switchbacks. A fun section but definitely need some bike handling skills to navigate the switchbacks. The trail then gets a bit faster and a couple tech spots towards the bottom. Nothing crazy at all though. a decent option to returning to the parking lot but nothing super exhilarating.
Pine, CO:
Little Scraggy Loop: (First half Blue, Second half Black Diamond)
A fun trail that has lots of up and down. Very rocky trail with plenty of fun rock drop and roll features. The second half of the trail is a fast and tech flow style downhill trail. The second half of the trail is far more fun than the first half, but the first half is definitely worth doing if it is your first time riding or looking for a longer loop. We began at the Little Scraggy parking lot. The option to start or bailout at Kelsey Campground is also there but most likely need to be shuttled for this option.
Salida, CO:
S- Mountain Trail System
This trail system is great because it can be immediately accessed from town. Simply cross the bridge over the river and you will be at the trail system! Shout out to Absolute Bike Shop for the trail recommendations and help!
A very easy climbing trail or an easy descent option if new to mountain biking
Slightly harder than Burn Pile Trail but not by much. Another easy climbing trail or descending trail.
An intermediate trail with lots of rock features. A fun trail if you can maintain your speed. A good trail to judge progress with on tech style trails.
My favorite trail we rode on S-Mountain. Had a lot of rock tech but also flowed very nicely. You are able to hold your speed through sections and almost have a sensation of surfing. There are a few steep loose climbs mixed in that will keep you on your toes. Be aware that many rocks are at just the right height to grab your pedals or bottom bracket if not careful. This is a must ride trail in my opinion.
Methodist Mountain Trail System
An easy climb on loose dirt. Typically used by vehicles.
An easy climbing trail to some of the downhill trails.
A very fast flow trail. Lots of berms, pumps, and jumps. Is extremely loose rock and dirt however. Feels like surfing.
Similar to West. Perhaps more rock drops than jumps on this side however. Again, feels like surfing.
Some fun roller coaster like features. We mostly used it as a connector to some of the other trails.
Truly feels like surfing. Ultra loose dirt. Is a very fast trail and a blast to ride for the speed and looseness.
Only rode the very end as we were connecting back to the parking lot, but what we rode was loose, exposed, and fast. Perhaps a trail worth riding in its entirety, but definitely works well when connecting to the parking lot of Deadbird.
Crested Butte, CO:
This trail is arguably the most scenic trail you will ever ride. Not to mention perhaps one of the most fun! You will cross a couple small waterfalls, a mountain top lake, have the best views through the valley facing Crested Butte. I recommend stopping briefly and cooling off in the stream or lake if you have the time. It is mighty refreshing! We chose to park at the Lower Judd Falls parking lot and pedal about 5 miles up the road to the start of about a 1.3 mile climb to the top of trail 401. Before starting the trail, at the end of the road segment, there will be large signs that people have filled with stickers. There are multiple points along the road you are able to start on if you would prefer break the road up a bit more. There are also shuttling options for the trail at the local shops. The trail is very fast and loose. Be careful on the upper section as some of the turns are blind and the trail is fairly exposed. If you ride in early July you just might get to see the wildflowers blooming as well! The trail just flows together so well and slowly turns into a little bit techier sections. But you will not loose your flow with it! This trail is an absolute bucket list trail!
A fun shorter trail accessible from town. Has great views of town and mountains and, as the name suggests, it is full of lupine flowers. The trail is an easier ride and great for beginners or just a bit more of a relaxed ride.
Just a connecting a road.
Flows well with some tight trees and corners. Like most trails in the area, it is loose with some techy sections. A fun trail to connect with Lupine trail.
Fruita, CO:
18 Road
This is a very fun trail system littered with trails designed to be fast and flowy on top of some very fun and unique terrain in the desert.
Just a driving road people use to access camping in the area or shuttle the trails.
We used this as a climbing trail to access Zippity Doo Dah. Nothing to crazy but a couple of fun features. Be sure to hit the rock drop right at the start of the trail.
***Zippity Doo Dah: (Black Diamond)
One of the iconic trails in Fruita. A very fun and fast trail. An absolute must hit. This trail is known for its winding along the tops of the hills and ridges. Has some incredible views and a unique riding experience that is hard to get any where else. The trail is a black diamond due to how steep some of the descents down hills get and similarly how steep some of the climbs up the other side are. Important to maintain speed in order to make it up these dips. That said, be careful not to be out of control as breaking bumps and rutting seem to be an issue on the trail. Be careful of the exposure in spots and make sure to pay attention to the trail and not the views or you will slide off the side and forced to bail (trust me). Recommend stopping every now and then to take in the scenery instead.
Castle Rock, CO:
Ridgeline Open Space
A fun trail system located next to a neighborhood. A great place to work on endurance and get some fun quick laps in. Has a bit of everything from small drops, loose corners, and areas you can bump jump if you wish. This is a shared space so be cautious of hikers and other people on the trails.
A short loop with a few rock gardens and fun dips. Slightly more technical than the East loop. Provides beautiful views the surrounding mountains and town. Trail flows well and is fun to do laps on. Fun to connect with East loop for a longer ride.
A short loop that has slightly less tech and marginally more flow than the West loop. Some fun rock garden and rollers that are fun to hit at speed. Be cautious of blind corners as they can be loose. Fun to connect to East loop for a longer ride.