colorado trail bike itinerary

Trail Bike Ride Itinerary Make 3 copies of this itinerary. Our guides were so helpful. Hundreds of miles of world-class mountain biking trails such as the Kokopelli Trail. Meeting & Ending Town: Grand Junction, Colorado (7-Day Tour) -or- Paonia, Colorado (5-Day Tour) Total Miles: 300 … We all cannot wait to do it all again! which was pretty awesome. Our Fat Bike Tour pricing is … It holds immense beauty around almost every turn. The food was outstanding and healthy. MAP: Trails Illustrated PERMITS: none (easy self-registration for wilderness areas) DESIGNATION: primarily 7 different National Forests BEST SEASONS: July, August, September DISTANCE: 485 miles from Denver to Durango WATER: I thru-hiked with 4 liters capacity. and "how would you like your eggs?" With the right physical and mental training, and the right gear, you can do it! About the author: Daria created The Discovery Nut , a travel blog focused on adventurous destinations around the world, to share her favorite places and to encourage everyone to get out of their comfort zone and explore more. Day 1Start near Lamar at the Great Plains Reservoirs, a collection of seven glassy lakes perfect for boating, fishing and waterskiing. GAP Trail and C&O 340 miles of dedicated car-free bike trails between Pittsburgh and Washington, DC, makes the Great Allegheny Passage and C&O Towpath the most desirable multi-day bike tour in the United States! 3. Please keep in mind that the itinerary of any human-powered adventure (like a bike trip!) If you were to complete the race in seven days, one day of the seven would be HAB They were also seriously a blast to hang out with and Sam made us the most amazing meals while Dustin provided comic relief. #1 of 69 Outdoor Activities in Boulder. The Platinum route will take you through parks, past La Cache Poudre River, Colorado State University and Old Town Fort Collins. The memories we have will last a lifetime! They knew all about biking, geology, regional history and made the trip a great success. The Circle Tour Learn the history of Estes Park on this tour around Lake Estes. We took our two teenage children and I was worried they'd whine and complain and they loved it! Don't see the email? Where to eat: Smokin’ Daves BBQ and Brew (mid-range brewhouse), Scratch Deli and Bakery (breakfast, lunch, coffee), Burgers and Gyros on Moraine (cheap lunch or dinner), Notchtop Bakery and Cafe (excellent breakfast or brunch). This epic mountain bike tour Colorado will take you from high alpine wild flower meadows and Aspen forests, over mountain passes and into lush valleys, then on to the hot, dry, flow trails of the desert. Some of our most popular trips are the multi-day excursion on the Kokopelli trail and Colorado Trail. It’s a must-see stop on any Colorado road trip. Our ride will take us over undulating roads past the white, sandstone-capped monoliths of Monument and Twin basins. Delicious food and beautiful views the entire journey! Where to Stay: The Hotel Glenwood Springs (pricey but convenient), two rest areas just east of town (free camping, budget option. These two were exceptionally sweet, funny, mature and competent in the backcountry and I would trust them with any of my closest family and friends. Colorado railroad tracks were converted into bike trails called the Animas River Trail, Mineral Belt, Galloping Goose and Rio Grande Trail. When you’re planning a Colorado road trip, you’ll want to keep a few things in mind to make your experience better. Awe-inspiring natural beauty and the dramatic red rock landscape of the Colorado National Monument. Visiting Colorado in just 4 days is a tall order. The third day will finish with the few extra miles to Potato Bottom, Hardscrabble, and the final climb out. The guides were top notch with their knowledge of the White Rim, the geology, biking tips, etc. Request Bike Tour Itinerary Information - Get more bike tour info on your preferred inn to inn tours: Rails to Trails, award-winning Civil War tours & more. Denver is quite walkable (especially compared to Houston!). Or cooking. NOTE: This is a very long motorcycle/road biking trail. If you’re short on time, make your way directly to DIA (keep in mind traffic is poor in the city around rush hour, and it’s an average of 45 minutes to the airport from Denver) or stop by one of Denver’s most amazing local breweries for a delicious beer and some food. One of the guides biked with our group every day and they were knowledgeable about the geology and plant life we were riding past. Did we mention the hot springs 800-272-4141 Did we mention the hot springs 800-272-4141 Call: 800-272-4141 The first hour’s ride will take the group on a soaring, switchbacking downhill onto the white rim sandstone, then roll across gentle ups and downs toward Musselman Arch. Dustin and Justin made it a wonderful trip for me! Always be sure to check that the road is open before heading out. Still not convinced? Moab Handlebar Bag — Bedrock Bags Here’s a few handy local tips: If you can swing it, it’s worth it to spend a few more days visiting Colorado. See Musselman Arch, Monument Basin, Turks Head, Candlestick Tower, and White Crack, a perch 1,000 feet above the confluence of the Green and Colorado rivers in the center of Canyonlands…what some call the center of the universe. Travel along the iconic sandstone bench around the “Island in the Sky”. Itinerary. If you only have 4 days in Colorado, you’ll see quite a bit with this locally-curated Colorado road trip itinerary. The trail includes singletrack and rugged & remote dirt roads. So, you’ll need to mark Denver as the starting point on your Colorado road trip map. Ride around the labyrinths of Soda Springs Basin and past Candlestick Tower before reaching the welcome shade of Potato Bottom’s cottonwood trees and our camp for the night. That means if you click on some of the links and purchase something, I get a small kickback at no added cost to you. Colorado Road Trip Days 5 + 6: Sundance Trail Dude Ranch Sundance Trail Guest Ranch I’ve been dipping into the great outdoors on this Colorado itinerary – but you’d better know that sh*t’s about to get REAL. A sweet, smooth cruise along the river. Whether you come to Colorado in winter to enjoy skiing or snowboarding in the Rockies, or hike and mountain bike in summer, you will be blown away by the beauty of the state. Where to Stay: Reserve a camp spot at the East Portal Campground or stay in nearby Montrose. Traveling through 6 wilderness areas and 8 mountain ranges, the trail offers the full spectrum of Colorado lakes, peaks, creeks, and ecosystem diversity. Incredible whitewater rafting on the Colorado River. The weather is often unpredictable and wild in Colorado, especially in the summer be prepared with a proper Colorado road trip packing list (coming soon). Bikepacking the Colorado Trail 2015 - Days 1-6 Cataract Lake in Segment 23 at sunset. I would strongly recommend this trip for any adult wanting to see Southern Utah the best way!!! It was evident that they loved what they do and cared immensely about our safety, comfort and well being. The shortest hikes in the survey were in the mid 20 day range (see note below) while 52 days was the top end. Half-day and full-day options available for intermediate to advanced riders. Or cleaning up. Colorado Cols Grand Junction Loop Tour Length: 7-Days Cycling/6-Nights Lodging -or- 5-Days Cycling/4-Nights Lodging. Mountain bike tour Colorado Itinerary. The Colorado Trail features 500 miles and 70,000′ of elevation gain winding through the Colorado Rocky Mountains between Denver and Durango. The trail winds through nearly 500 miles of the awe-inspiring Rocky Mountains drawing hikers from around the world and is open to hikers, bikers, and horseback riders. Then in the afternoon, ride up to Murphy’s Hogback, the first of this trip’s challenging uphill stretches. A must on any biker’s bucket list is the White Rim Trail mountain bike tour in, Travel along the iconic sandstone bench around the, Holiday’s White Rim Trail mountain bike tour can also be combined with. This itinerary includes: The Rocky Mountains of Colorado typically have snow from October through June. I am a better human being for having gone on this ADVENTURE!” (Grant Patton), Read more about this classic Utah trail ride: The Insider’s Guide to the White Rim Trail. Durango Colorado has one of the best mountain bike trail systems anywhere! They accommodated my dietary needs and encouraged me during the difficult parts. Bring your rain jacket, you will get caught in afternoon thunder storms. You can buy any last minute items from our accessories store at this time (see our packing checklist for items you can find at our store). Day 1: Monarch Crest Trail 30 miles of some of the most breathtaking and smoothest trail in the world On Day 1 of the Colorado Trail MTB tour ride what is considered one of the very best singletrack trails in the American West, the Monarch Crest Trail. Things to do: Hike to Hanging Lake (near Glenwood Springs, advanced permit and paid parking or bus ride required), soak in the Glenwood Springs hot springs, or ride the scenic Gondola to the top of the Canyon. It’s time to head back to Denver today. The Colorado Trail is a multi use trail that runs 500 miles (539 by bicycle) from Waterton Canyon in Littleton, Colorado to Durango, Colorado. Welcome to the community of badass outdoor enthusiasts! Today you’ll go for a hike at one of the many amazing hiking trails in Rocky Mountain National Park, then continue onwards along the scenic Trail Ridge Road to the west end of the park. Respect weed laws. Although there are a few significant climbs, steep downhills, and areas of loose rock and sand, most technically challenging sections are short and can be easily walked. Fire bans are common in Colorado. You’ll tackle this route in 4 days and camp 3 nights under the Rocky Mountain skies. Touted as the “Grand Canyon of the Rockies” this beautiful canyon plunges 2,722-feet down and is only 40 feet across at its narrowest section. Meg aka Fox is a 30-something who's born to explore. The airport is rather far from DIA, book in some extra time for travel. Keep in mind the Denver International Airport (DIA) is pretty far from anything. Trail Ridge East Our most popular tour! Or finding a campsite. The Colorado trail is an 800 km long distance trail from the Waterton Canyon near Denver to Durango, organized into 28 trail segments and a few bike detours around wilderness areas. Drive Time: 2.5 hours to the more developed south rim, or 2 hours to the more remote north rim. Kayak Workshop on the Green River in Utah, rafting trip on the Colorado River through Cataract Canyon, The Insider’s Guide to the White Rim Trail, Featured on the KUED and Salt Lake Tribune "Bucket List" series, Human-powered, active vacation through Canyonlands National Park, Epic night skies in one of Utah's International Dark Sky Parks, Schedule a private trip with 8 people or more. For 485 miles between Denver and Durango, the Colorado Trail (CT) winds over rocky, 13,000-foot peaks and passes, through wildflower-filled meadows, in and out of dusty mining towns, and past snow-clad vistas as it draws a line through Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. “Amazing downhill stretches on the first and third days. Our expected time of arrival back at our headquarters is 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. The Colorado Trail is challenging with demanding terrain and fickle weather. As a Colorado local of over 12 years and an outdoor aficionado, I know all of the best Colorado road trip spots must be flexible by necessity. The CT is a hiking trail that allows mountain bikers to use it too. Please note: Riders with no off-road bicycling experience, or who are not athletic, will most likely find this trip challenging. Somewhere far below us, the Green and Colorado rivers meet. Thank you Karen, Dustin, Sam, Teepee and any of the other employees who helped to facilitate this fantastic experience for us! Thank you!! Guests with bikes that fail our inspection will be asked to rent a Holiday bike for $180.00/person. Tour Divide challenges a fixed course annually called the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route.Not only is the Great Divide Route a true classic, its 'primary track' is pursued with consistency by TD athletes so that year to year, finish times may always be compared directly to the record books.. Please don’t drive in the left lane unless you’re looking to pass. The Colorado Trail flows through eight mountain ranges, six wilderness areas, five major river systems, and six National Forests. Mountian traffic is a real problem year-round. Are there other amazing Colorado road trip stops? The final 74 miles of the Colorado Trail are arguably the finest of the entire trail length from Denver and certainly one of the premiere backcountry singletracks in our entire country. The White Rim bike trip follows an 86-mile route along the perimeter of the Island in the Sky district in Canyonlands National Park. Approximately 300+ miles of singletrack at elevations ranging from 5500′ to a gasping-for-breath 13,200′. The Colorado Trail Mile for mile the most beautiful trail in America … built and maintained by the volunteers of The Colorado Trail Foundation A spectacular adventure. After a hearty breakfast and coffee, we’ll drop off of Murphy’s Hogback and roll our way north; we’re now following the contours of the Green River. Colorado road bike tour, 5000 feet of climbing every day | World class lodging and meals every night. Bathrooms are clean and it is very safe), Hanging Lake Inn (budget hotel). There's even a space to fill out your trip details and add custom packing items to the list. It was named after one of South Dakota's former Governors, as it was his idea to turn this once a railroard line into a trail system, calling it a "rails to trails" project. Our intermediate tour will showcase awesome singletrack found at lower elevations than our Colorado Trail Tour, yet we’ll still ride some of the best trails this remarkable area offers, including Hermosa Creek Trail, parts of the Colorado Trail and a mostly all day descent to Junction Creek. A great experience from start to finish. You can pick and choose from this Colorado Itinerary and cut some things and add others to make it the perfect Colorado road trip for you. They were great cooks and so fun to be around. Freelance Writing, Travel, and Life Skills. Where to eat: Sweet Coloradough (delicious donuts), Native Son Restuarant and Bar (tapas and great drinks), Slope & Hatch (delicious street tacos). Things to do: Catch a sunset at Sprauge Lake or the Many Parks Curve Overlook in Rocky Mountain National Park, spot wildlife in Estes Park, take a short hike at Lumpy Ridge, relax and grab a drink at the Stanley Hotel (film location for The Shining). Sign up here to be alerted about upcoming deals on trips. A must on any biker’s bucket list is the White Rim Trail mountain bike tour in Canyonlands National Park. Many people also like the convenience of the 1/2 day mountain bike tours such as the Classic Sandstone loop or for a wonderful 20 mile downhill bike … For all my road trips, I use a tool like Kayak to search rental car costs because it compares prices on many sites all at once. Before leaving our headquarters, each guest along with a Holiday guide will perform a pre-trip inspection of your bike. Winter Fat Bike Tour Pricing: We offer our custom tailored tours in Half-Day (3-3.5 hours on trail) and Full-Day (4+ hours on trail) Options. Therefore, the best time to go on a Colorado road trip is from July through early September. Fill out your email below to get exclusive access to the ultimate Colorado packing list! After conquering the hill we’ll be rewarded with a campsite at the top, with 360-degree views of red rock canyons and pillars. I made camp after descending to a smaller lake next to it. Your endurance is rewarded with endless stunning views, unique rock formations, and incredible cultural sites. Her mission is to get you out on your greatest adventure. The guides always had energy bars, granola bars, available for us. for the ultimate seven-day multi-sport adventure vacation. Much of the route is gentle, hard-packed doubletrack. Returned yesterday from a 4 Day White Rim Trail Biking Trip! That equals 13% of the total distance. There is A LOT of hike-a-bike on the trail. I loved the couscous/orzo salad for lunch on the second day. Rocky Mountain Winter Itinerary Winter in Grand County brings countless delights: the quiet of Rocky Mountain National Park , excellent skiing at two classic Colorado resorts, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing at Nordic centers, snowmobiling and excellent shopping. This 4-day Colorado road trip itinerary brings you a taste of the highlights. The only issue I ran into was Front Range Ride Guides Ltd. - Day Tours. No Colorado adventure would be complete without spending some time camping at these great spots. The mountains, valleys, rivers, and lakes lend themselves to so many options from hiking and kayaking to rock climbing and biking, both on the road and in the mountains. 2. The Great Divide Route is the world's longest off-pavement cycling route. Travel like a local with this insider’s itinerary. Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone, Dirt. Since you’ve only got 4 days to explore Colorado, pick up your vehicle and drive straight to Estes Park. Bighorn sheep on their trail home in Rocky Mountain Rise and shine before the sun to make the most of your time on this 4 day Colorado itinerary. Pro Tip: Trail Ridge Road is not maintained in the winter. From here, the Continental Divide Trail and Colorado Trail are one and the same for about 150 miles, though mountain bikes have to detour 50 miles around the La Garita Wilderness. The grand depart for the self-timed, self-supported, ultra-endurance bikepacking race is July 25, 2021 in Durango, Colorado… Weed is legal and can be found virtually everywhere in Colorado, but it still illegal to smoke in public and smoke and drive. Business completed, we’ll hop in the vans for a two-hour ride to the park entrance and the head of the Shafer Trail. (pssst: our … Colorado Springs Parks Department E-Bike Trail Access Survey The Colorado Springs Parks Department is exploring changes to E-Bike Trail Access on all trails within the COS Parks and Recreation System. 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