Colorado Trail Mountain Bike Tour Dates:

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Day 3:
Cebolla Creek Camp to Creede, Colorado
17 miles of singletrack 
10 miles of double track

                                                                                               Dining in Camp

Day 4:
Creede to Pole Creek Camp
28 miles of alpine singletrack

After a brief morning shuttle from Creede up to the continental divide, cyclists rejoin the Colorado Trail on Spring Creek Pass.  This is the tour’s Queen Stage (the longest day with most climbing) offering spectacular high elevation riding, challenging climbs and unparalleled 360 degree views of the Rio Grande’s remote headwaters.

From Spring Creek Camp the route travels a little used double track road for 6 miles before becoming singletrack trail and reaching the highest point of the entire 450 mile long Colorado Trail, Coney Summit at 13,200 feet.  This section offers mountain bike riding that is both challenging and rewarding.  The trail here is above treeline offering 360-degree views that stretch 125-miles in each direction!

Upon reaching Wager Gulch riders descend 1,500 feet to Lost Trail Creek.  After this descent a challenging ascent to Lost Trail Creek Pass begins.  If the weather threatens atop Lost Trail Creek Pass, cyclists descend 7-miles and 2,000 feet to the camp on Pole Creek.  If the weather is benign, riders can opt to continue riding climbing another mile to swim in 12,082 foot high Cataract Lake.  If the lake is free of ice (or even if is isn’t), the lake is the definition of refreshing.  One will not forget a swim in Cataract Lake.

Diner tonight may is a local miner’s favorite of Slumgullion stew.  Fly-fisherman will revel in the opportunity to fish secluded holes at the intersection of Pole Creek and the headwaters of the Rio Grande.  Previous fly-fisherman have called this area “the best” fly-fishing they have ever done with trout that “may have never before been hooked” fighting on the line.

A few miles from camp are the remains of Bear Town, once a thriving mining town at the turn of the 20^th century.  The classic book, Stampede to Timberline, depicts the life and work of the miners who once inhabited this remote section of the high and lonesome.   The hard life these men endured is in stark contrast to our self-imposed cycling adventure with fresh vegetables, local meats, and cold cerveza.

Day 4 on the trail: Lost Trail Creek

Day 4:Coney Summit:  13,000- feet high on a bike!

Wisconsin Rib Night  

Day 5:
Pole Creek Camp to Silverton
20 miles of trail over 12,650 foot Stoney Pass
2,900 feet of climbing
3,600 feet of descending

On day 5 of the Colorado Trail mountain bike tour cyclists will cross the Continental Divide for the 5th and final time of the tour and then descend 3,600 feet to the mining town of Silverton.  This is a huge day with great rewards for the cyclist.

12,650- Stoney Pass is a historic stage coach route on the Santa Fe Trail that served the mining town of Silverton.  The views from Stoney frame the steep terrain cyclists have traversed over the past four days.  From the Stoney Pass cyclists begin a steep 3,300-foot, 12 mile descent to the town of Silverton, Colorado.  In Silverton mountain bike riders will be treated to a hotel

Day 6:
Silverton to Telluride over 12,840-foot Black Bear Pass
17 miles and 3,900 feet of climbing  

From Silverton riders earn vertical quickly for eight miles while climbing 2,000 feet on dirt roads & on highway 550 to the impressive Red Mountain Pass (11,018 feet).  From Red Mountain Pass mountain bike riders tackle Black Bear Pass road climbing another 1,800-feet above the trees and into the clouds until they reach 12,840 foot Black Bear Pass.  Cyclists who can pedal all of Black Bear Pass road without dabbing earns a whiskey at the New Sheridan Saloon in Telluride.  NOTE: The Black Bear Pass section of this ride is unguided.  Cyclists are supported until Red Mountain Pass & then again in Telluride.

• Mere words provide a pale description of this cycling route.  The climb to Black Bear Pass provides views of multiple waterfalls, shoulder high wildflowers and mountains, mountains, and more mountains……

From Black Bear it is all downhill (except for the uphill) to Telluride 3,800 feet below.  The descent passes old mining structures and literally drops out of the sky into Telluride.  Cyclists will marvel at the ingenuity of the miners who struggled in these high mountains 100 years ago to strike it rich.  On the descent cyclists will pass just 30-feet from the top of the 125 foot Ingram Falls and directly under 365 foot Bridal Veil Falls, the largest waterfall in Colorado.  (See this to believe it: View Colorado Trail Photos!)

Cyclists will ride onto Telluride’s streets in the early afternoon for a beer at the 120 year old New Sheridan Saloon.

WELL DONE!

NOTE: Cyclists can choose to stay in Telluride for the night or shuttle to Montrose (65 miles) for the evenings.

Colorado Trail: Tour Beta

Meeting Place: Montrose, Colorado
Fly into: Montrose or Grand Junction, Colorado
Cost: $1495- per person (includes all meals, shuttles, vehicle support, 2 nights of hotel lodging & guide service)

The tour is capped at 9-riders.  

PLEASE NOTE: Although these tours are for advanced riders, they are NOT death marches. They are well planned guided adventures into the backcountry that are within the ability of experienced riders.

In reality many riders who are capable of riding and enjoying these tours self-select themselves out of participation because they feel the tour will be too hard. If you would like to join us and have a question about your ability, please call.

For more information or to make a reservation, contact us:
970.728.5891 or Info@LizardHeadCyclingGuides.com

Riding above treeline on the Colorado Trail (12,800 feet)

Day 5 Riding: The top of Stoney Pass

Hiking with the Bike

Camp Life: Active Recovery