FATMAP by Strava

Buttermilk Bowls

Aspen

A straightforward figure-8 ride on Buttermilk Mountain.

Mountain Biking Difficult

Distance
14 km
Ascent
688 m
Descent
688 m
Duration
1-2 hrs
Low Point
2.4 km
High Point
3.1 km
Gradient
Buttermilk Bowls Map

This straightforward figure-8 route leaves most of the route finding behind and allows riders to focus on grinding up a stiff dirt road climb through the resort, and railing delightful singletrack on the way back down!

Description

The climb up the mountain takes place mostly on a dirt road that winds its way up through the ski resort. About 1/3 of the way up you’ll pass over the Government Trail—the final leg of your descent back down through the resort.

After grinding and grinding up the mountain, you’ll reach a viewpoint and be rewarded with "amazing views of the Maroon Creek Valley and Pyramid Peak,” according to CycleLifeHQ.com. From here, the remainder of the climb takes place on delightful singletrack that loops around the upper Buttermilk Bowls, before beginning the descent in earnest.

The descent swoops and flows through pine and aspen forest on mostly smooth singletrack. While this trail descends down through a ski resort, don’t expect to find a purpose-built flow trail or a feature-rich downhill test piece. This is narrow singletrack trail riding at its finest, with roots and rocks adding some roughness and challenge to this narrow strip of dirt.

On the lower section of the descent on Government Trail, you’ll encounter the most challenging and renowned sections of Government Trail, known simply as The Rock Garden and The Root. Intermediate riders who prefer long climbs and smooth singletrack can always opt to walk the few challenging sections, as most of this route is quite smooth and flowy.

Sources: https://rootsrated.com/stories/aspens-biggest-best-mountain-bike-trails-in-aspen https://www.cyclelifehq.com/en/listings/305194-buttermilk-bowls-loop https://mtnbiketrails.com/bike/buttermilk-bowls-loop https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gztzpf5w8lw

Difficulty

Difficult

Mostly stable trail tread with some variability featuring larger and more unavoidable obstacles that may include, but not be limited to: bigger stones, roots, steps, and narrow curves. Compared to lower intermediate, technical difficulty is more advanced and grades of slopes are steeper. Ideal for upper intermediate riders.

Medium Exposure

2 out of 4

The trail contains some obstacles such as outcroppings and rock which could cause injury.

Remoteness

2 out of 4

Away from help but easily accessed.

Best time to visit

between June and October

Features

  • Flow
  • Technical
  • Picturesque
  • Singletrack
  • In the forest
  • Roots
  • Rock Gardens

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area