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San Miguel River Trail
Easy - This is a refreshing, easy ride, perfect for those
who want to acclimatize to the altitude. Recently expanded, it's about
2.75 miles one way with a 170-foot elevation gain. Begin at the east
end of town at East Colorado and Columbine Street, past Town Park. All
along the river, you can access side streets as it continues west towards
the valley floor, ending at Boomerang Road. (Do not enter the valley
floor as it is closed to public use).
Bridal Veil Falls
Moderate - These stunning waterfalls,
over 300 feet in length, entice many people to bike up the road.
From Pandora Mill to Bridal Veil waterfalls and the power plant, it's 1.8
miles
and a 1,200 foot elevation gain.
Or you can bike to the bottom of the falls and get energized
in the midst of the mist. Directions: Go east through town on Colorado
Avenue toward the mountain, pass the old Pandora Mine on your left,
and follow the road marked County Road. Continue on this dirt road
and go up the switchbacks for 1.2 miles to the bottom of falls, or
go the extra .6 miles to the top of the falls. You don't have to
stop here, though. Beyond the privately owned historic power plant,
the awesome Bridal Veil Basin, Blue Lake, and Silver Lake await you.
Note: If you drive, park your car at the base of the falls and bike
up. Parking is not available at the top.
Tomboy Road, Town of Tomboy, Imogene
Pass & Ouray
Moderate to Difficult - Be prepared
for the rugged five-mile road to the fascinating town of Tomboy (2,650
foot elevation gain) by taking plenty of water, food or snacks, and
warm clothing. It's 7 miles to Imogene Pass (at 13,114 feet, it's a
4,350 elevation gain) and 18 miles total to Ouray. Start in town at
the north end of Oak Street and turn right on the dirt road (Tomboy
Road). Continue past waterfalls and through a tunnel to arrive at the
mining camp of Tomboy. The road continuing on to the pass is a steep
grade with loose rock and, after that, a steeper downhill ride to Ouray.
Several paths at the top of the pass lead to peaks. You can take a
side trip by making a left turn (marked) and explore the raw beauty
of Yankee Boy Basin; continuing toward Ouray, you'll pass by Camp Bird,
historically one of the richest mines in the country. If you're going
straight to Ouray, expect this trip to take at least two hours but,
if you want to explore, expect to spend a good part of the day.
Telluride
Ski Area
Moderate to Difficult - A variety of superb backcountry
trails on the ski mountain are accessed via the free gondola, which
runs continuously from 7 a.m. to midnight every day beginning May 23
until off-season. Mountain bike beginning at mid-station at
Station St. Sophia and about half that elevation gain from Mt. Village.
Call the ski area at 728-7538 for more information.
Alta Lakes
Easy to Moderate - The 1870s mining
town of Alta is on the National Register of Historic Places and Alta
Lakes are picture postcard beautiful. It is 5 miles one way with a
1,700-foot elevation gain. Directions: go six miles south of Telluride
on Hwy. 145 (toward Cortez) to Alta Lakes Road. To reach the ghost
town of Alta, stay on the main road for 4 miles. To get to the lakes,
turn right at the town and follow the signs to Alta Lakes.
Black Bear Pass
Difficult - This is for experienced
bikers only. Black Bear Pass is a one way ride from
Red Mountain Pass, and extreme caution must be taken coming down the
switchbacks to Telluride. It is 3.6 miles one way from Red Mountain
Pass to Bridal Veil intersection, a 2,520-foot elevation loss. Access:
the one-way road begins off Red Mountain Pass, climbs gradually, then
makes a breathtaking plunge into Telluride alongside the 125-foot Ingram
Falls, and past Bridal Veil Falls.
Deep Creek
Easy - This is 6.5 miles one way with a 1,672-foot elevation
gain. Access Deep Creek from the Jud Wiebe trailhead at N. Aspen St.
or Mill Creek. Cross the bridge over Mill Creek and turn right on the
Deep Creek Trail, which continues to Last Dollar Road. The trail has
many forks, so a map/guide is recommended. Bikers can make an 18-mile
loop. Follow the trail to Last Dollar Rd., turn left and climb to the
intersection with the paved airport road. Ride down to Hwy. 145, then
east into town.
Galloping Goose Trail
Moderate biking. A long and rewarding bike that is 20.6 miles one
way with a 1,580-foot elevation gain. Take the Bike Path west from
town and go up to Lawson Hill entrance, follow
single track down old railroad grade to Ilium Valley. Make a sharp
right turn at the road. Turn left over bridge to Sunshine Mesa. At
first switchback, continue straight onto the old railroad grade again.
Trail continues above Ames to Ophir Loop (Hwy. 145). Loop can be completed
by taking South Fork Rd. back to Ilium single track and Lawson Hill
or continue south (under the highway) to Trout Lake and Lizard Head
Pass.
Ilium Road/Ames Historic Site
Easy - Ames is the site of the country's first alternating
current power plant built by George Westinghouse, L.L. Nunn, and Nikola
Tesla. To get there, bike five miles west on Hwy, 145 from
Telluride, then turn at the Ilium Road turnoff that parallels the San
Miguel River (south fork) to the historic Ames power plant. It is 6
miles one way with a 1,250-foot elevation gain.
Last Dollar
Moderate - There
is a 19-mile "Local's Loop" for bikes with a 300-foot elevation
gain. Access: 3 miles west of town on Hwy. 145, turn right on the airport
road and follow it for 2 miles to the dirt road that forks north just
before the airport. Continue for 1.5 miles, then turn left on Deep
Creek Rd and ride down 2 miles to the highway. Ride east toward town,
turn right on South Fork Rd., then turn left on the Galloping Goose
Trail and ride up to the bike path back to town. A longer loop for
bikers is available by following Last Dollar Road,
then descending to Sawpit and Hwy.145 via Rd. 58P. Another option is
to continue north to Hwy.145 where an inspiring panorama of mountain
peaks awaits you at Dallas Divide on the way to Ridgway, Ouray, or
Montrose.
Ophir Pass
Moderate to Difficult - Spectacular
Ophir Pass is six miles one way from Hwy. 145 to top of the pass with
a 2,480-foot elevation gain. From Telluride, drive south on Hwy. 145
for 8 miles. Turn left onto a dirt road (watch for post office sign)
and proceed through "old" Ophir to the pass road. Ophir Pass
climbs above timberline over a scree field to the 12,789-foot summit.
Return via the same route, or continue down to Red Mountain Pass and
make a long loop back to town via Ouray.
Wilson Mesa Trail
Moderate - If you want awesome scenery mixed
with solitude (and colors in the fall), take this trail which is 13
miles one way east from Woods Lake to Sunshine Mesa with a 3,700-foot
elevation gain. To access: Drive 14 miles west of Telluride on Hwy.
145. Turn left on Fall Creek Road and follow for 7.75 miles to the
trailhead. Park here or continue another .25 miles to Woods Lake and
park there. Or access from the top of Sunshine Mesa and the trailhead
to Bilk Creek heading west to Woods Lake.
Bear Creek Canyon
Easy to Moderate - This is an awesome bike from town,
a favorite of locals and visitors alike, because Bear Creek's amazing
serenity and beauty makes you feel like you?re miles away from civilization.
It's 2 miles one way to the waterfalls with a 1,040 foot elevation
gain within this 325-acre mountain canyon that is secured for the public
by the Telluride Land Trust. Enter the trail from the end of South
Pine Street and follow Bear Creek up the canyon and enjoy views of
jagged peaks on your way to the waterfalls. About .25 miles before
the falls, watch for the sign on your right announcing the trailhead
to the rugged and challenging Wasatch Trail. |
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