Lower Colorado Trail

This is a local’s favorite with two main trailheads offering different approaches to classic Colorado singletrack. Either trailhead can be ridden to but the majority of folks drive to the trailheads.

Going west from 25^th and Main it is 3.5 miles to the southern terminus of the CT on its 567-mile trip from Denver. The lower part of the trail to Gudy’s Rest is very popular among hikers, bikers, dogwalkers, runners, etc so extra caution and politeness should prevail. The trail starts out in the Junction Creek drainage and has some short steep and technical sections to the bridge that crosses the creek. From there it’s switchbacks up to Gudy’s Rest and one of the best picture spots around. Some folks turn around here but many continue up to Hoffheins Trail over to Dry Fork and up Dry Fork to the CT and back down to Gudy’s and the CT trailhead for the classic lollipop.

Riders also can access the system from the Dry Fork trailhead which is 7.2 miles away from Durango via HWY160W and CR 208. This route also has a classic lollipop up Dry Fork to the CT, down the CT to Hoffheins to Dry Fork and back to the trailhead.

To make a loop from town, riders ride to either trailhead and ride up to the CT Dry Fork junction and then back to the other trailhead and back to town. An amazing extension to the loops is to continue up the CT to High Point and then return to the loops. Beyond the High Point is a long descent back down to Junction Creek and a long steep climb up to Champions Venture and access to Junction Creek Rd (CR 204), only proceed past High Point if prepared for a long day in the saddle in high country conditions.

Check out Lower Colorado Trail comprehensive maps, stats, trail conditions, and more.

Views from Lower Colorado Trail