FATMAP by Strava

Colorado Trail: Kenosha Pass to Breckenridge

Salida

This beautiful section of the Colorado Trail offers high-quality bike-legal singletrack the entire way, making for an ambitious day ride or an excellent portion of a bikepacking route.

Mountain Biking Difficult

Distance
50 km
Ascent
1.7 km
Descent
1.9 km
Duration
4-5 hrs
Low Point
2.8 km
High Point
3.6 km
Gradient
Colorado Trail: Kenosha Pass to Breckenridge Map

This section of the Colorado Trail is stunningly beautiful and simultaneously offers very rideable singletrack. While some steep plummets offer high speed descending, overall the trail tread isn't very technical, making this a great cross country ride.

Description

Possibly the most technical section is the stretch from Kenosha Pass up to Georgia Pass. Since this portion is easily accessible from Highway 285, many riders choose to simply pedal it as an out-and-back ride.

Adding to the appeal as an out-and-back are the incredible views off the top of Georgia Pass as the singletrack breaks out above tree line. Views of the South Park Valley, the surrounding mountain peaks, and over the backside toward Breckenridge are worth taking some time to savor.

If you're riding all the way to Breckenridge, the rest of the singletrack is actually in the forest, with some views through the trees of the surrounding mountains. That doesn't mean the trail is flat or even entirely downhill. Off the top of Georgia Pass the singletrack plummets down into a valley, then climbs steeply back up and over another mountain through a series of switchbacks over the course of many miles.

Once the trail has climbed up and descended down the heavily-forested mountain, it begins to run through the trail system between Breckenridge and Keystone, with numerous trail junctions. The singletrack here is sweet and flowy, and makes for a good day ride option from either Breck or Keystone. Thankfully, the Colorado Trail is well-marked, and following the blazes will eventually drop you down to the highway.

Some other sections of the Colorado Trail are extremely steep, and others are brutally-technical. This segment from Kenosha Pass to Breckenridge, on the other hand, is strenuous but approachable, and the quality of the trail is second to none!

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

4 out of 4

In the high mountains or remote conditions, all individuals must be completely autonomous in every situation.

Best time to visit

between July and September

Features

  • Flow
  • Technical
  • Hike a bike
  • Roots
  • Rock Gardens

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area