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Salida Colorado Biking The unique setting of the Fourteeners Region provides some of the best bike trails on the continent. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, you'll find a path that suits your fancy. The Rules - Local Trails - Maps - Biking Events - Gear Safety/Courtesy Rules for Off-Road Biking The following code of conduct was developed by the National Off-Road Bicycling Association for off-road bikers who venture onto the multi-use trails of the Colorado backcountry: • Yield the right of way to other non-motorized recreationists View from a Mtn. Bike • Stay on designated trails to avoid trampling native vegetation. Minimize
erosion by avoiding muddy trails and not short-cutting switchbacks. Monarch Crest Trail At 11,000 to 12,000 feet, the initial 12 mile stretch traverses the Continental Divide. Views of the Sawatch Range, Pikes Peak to the east as well as the San Juans and Uncompahgres to the southwest and west are magnificent. On a clear day, you can see forever along this trail. Rating: Intermediate-advanced Look for the start of the single track on the right on Forest Service Trail 531, approximately .03 mile up this hill. Several signs at the start indicate mileage to Marshall Pass and to several other points along the route. Another sign notes the Continental Divide Trail. Similar markers will be present along the remainder of the trail, all the way to Marshall Pass. Follow the single track for.7 mile to the power line and continue up the 4 wd road going almost straight south. This section gains 230 feet in .7 mile. After two switchbacks, continue uphill to the trees, and make a right turn onto the trail. Signs posted at this point indicate "Marshall Pass 9 miles," and a Continental Divide trail marker. At this point, you have climbed approximately one quarter of the total elevation, and have ridden a short section of the single track. The rest of the single track is as difficult, or more difficult, for short sections. This is a good turn around point if you are having difficulty with the altitude, or if the weather looks foreboding. The next 8.7 miles are single track, which will climb initially (300 ft. in 1.5 mi) to gain the ridge crest. Continue along the crest skirting high points on their southwest aspects. This section is exposed, so avoid thunderstorms. Four miles after regaining the single track, join the Colorado Trail as it comes up South Fooses Creek drainage and continue east. In another mile the ridge breaks, resulting in a 400 ft. descent in slightly more than a mile. Look for a shelter hut on the left after completing the descent. A 200 ft climb in .8 mile is the last major climb of the ride. This section, which can be muddy in wet weather, regains the crest. Cross Agate Creek trail in .2 mile after finishing the climb, and continue through the trees. Watch for a short section crossing a talus field. Many will want to walk their bikes through this stretch. Cross Agate Creek trail in .2 mile after finishing the climb, and continue through the trees. Watch for a short section crossing a talus field. You may want to walk their bikes through the stretch. The single track ends three miles from the shelter house. Continue on the 4 wd road (CR 234.2G) that descends rapidly to the Marshall Pass Trailhead--600 feet in 1.5 miles. This trailhead is marked with several signs--one showing distance to Monarch Pass. • the single-track of the Rainbow Trail along Silver Creek; For the last option, look for a sign noting Gray's Creek, just over a mile after crossing theChaffee-Saguache county line sign. Go down the embankment on the right and continue on a 4 wd road to O'Haver Lake. Ride along the south shore of the lake, leaving the campground on FDR/CR 202A and pass straight through an intersection in half a mile. In another mile is a "T" intersection with a stop sign. Turn left and continue east on CR 200 to 285. Mt. Princeton-Raspberry Gulch Loop Trail This trail offers plenty in great views and in challenge. The single track section of this ride is excellent through aspen and ponderosa forest and open meadows. There are great views of the Sawatch Range's Collegiate Peaks and the opportunity for a meal and hot bath at the Mt. Princeton Lodge following the ride. Rating: Difficult A few yards beyond this point the single track begins on the left. Signs here indicate Browns Creek two miles to the south, and Chalk Creek three miles north. Continue south toward Browns Creek and intersect the Colorado Trail. The remainder of the ride follows the Colorado Trail which will return to the Mt. Princeton Lodge. Turn east onto Colorado trail as it follows an old jeep road. Continue on Colorado Trail crossing several drainages and old logging roads. About 16 miles into the ride the Trail begins its descent into Chalk Creek and the first mile of this descent is steep with several sharp switchbacks and will require most riders to dismount. After intersecting graded road the difficulty eases off considerably. The single track picks up again a few yards east on the graded road. Continue to the trail register after crossing Chalk Creek on foot bridge. Turn right onto graded CR 191 and ride east to its intersection with CR 162. Continue east on CR 162 and return to the Mt. Princeton Lodge on CR 162. Salida Colorado and Buena Vista Colorado Maps Go here for more biking routes in Chaffee County. Mountain Bike and Road Bike Gear Absolute Bikes American Adventure Expeditions Buffalo Joe's Mountain Bike Tours High Valley Bike Shuttle Service Otero Cyclery The Trailhead Banana Belt Loop Mountain Bike Race: Direct from Riverside Park. The Banana Belt Loop Race starts at 11 am. One of the best family races in Colorado. This 26 mile race starts and finishes in Riverside Park in Historic Downtown Salida and includes 6 miles of single track on the Rainbow Trail. For more information (877) 772-5432. Visit the Absolute Bikes website for the Salida Colorado riding calendar. |
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