Description

The Dyke Trail offers up dark, loamy singletrack thanks to the constant nourishment from the deciduous leaves of the Kebler Pass aspen grove.

As you pedal through this massive aspen grove, not only will you enjoy amazing traction thanks to the rich dirt, but you'll also get to experience first-hand one of the world's largest living organisms. According to an article on 5280.com, "The white-barked aspen (populus tremuloides) reproduce through their roots, known as suckers, which send up new chutes that eventually grow up to become trees.

In other words: Their root systems are completely interconnected." While there is some debate about exactly which aspen grove is the largest, the one on Kebler Pass is in the running! Since the entire grove is one interconnected organism, the leaves on all of the aspen trees leaf out at the same time in the spring and they turn color at the same time in the fall.

This makes Kebler Pass (which the route mapped here finishes on) one of the most popular leaf-peeping car drives in the state.

That said, riding the Dyke Trail is a much more intimate way to experience this humungous grove.

The singletrack weaves between tightly-spaced trunks—a never-ending sea of tall, white posts flying by in your peripheral vision. Overall the singletrack is relatively non-technical, but the trail is punctuated by steep climbs that can force some riders to hike-a-bike.

A few of the descents are pretty chunky, especially the final drop to the horse camp.

All told, the Dyke Trail is a Crested Butte classic and while sometimes the draw of the trail itself might fade depending on wear and tear, the uniqueness of this trail's location never gets old! Sources: https://crestedbuttemountainbike.com/rides/intermediate-dyke-loop-from-the-y-mountain-bike-loop/ http://www.5280.com/2015/11/colorado-by-nature-the-worlds-largest-living-organism/