Beta for Colorado/Moab

[MANUCHAO]

Hey guys..

I did the San Juan "hut to hut sytem" from Telluride to Moab a few years back..

Im planning on doing a somewhat version of this trip (as little fire roads as possible) this summer..although dates have not been decided yet....

It will be a self sustained ride using my rig and a off road trailer.....
So far all I need to be ready is; fab a bike rack for my trailer roof top and trailer brakes..

Im thinking it will be about 4 or 5 of us for about 7 to 10 days..

Any of you out in Co and Utah know of any good single track trails..
Im pretty familiar with Moab but not with CO. I been to Telluride once before but that's it...

The plan is to start in Telluride and head west and hit as much single track as possible.....

We might have a designated driver or take turns...

Thanks in advance for any info on trails and campgrounds that you might think would be a good place to visit !!!

 

[edog's 80]

I have done a lot of riding in Colorado. First off what did you think of the hut to hut trip? I have heard mixed reviews of it, I hope you liked it, I have never done it. I am a bit confused by what your plans are.

Are you wanting to have 7-10 days of consecutive days worth of trails linked together with one of your group meeting you at points with your rig and camping out? If that's the case, I would recommend doing a big portion of the Colorado trail. I have done quite a bit of it, you will need the CO trail guidebook, it has GPS waypoints, places to camp, etc. It is not specifically geared to mtbing though, so you have to be careful with some of the suggestions.

If you are looking for a base to camp and ride 7-10 days from camp, I would recommend either Crested Butte or Durango. I have spent lots of time in both areas. Let me know, either way, I am jealous and wish I had time for a trip like this!

 

[MANUCHAO]

Edog's thanks for your reply..
Hut to Hut (Telluride to Moab) was a great experience.. being on the saddle for that many days was awesome. The huts are well equipped, the ride itself was also great but I do wish it had more single track... residing in CA and riding at 9k on the first day on a dirt road was a kick on the ballz so, the first two days were great but after that you really wish there was more ST. We did go out of our way to find some ST and did found it but also manage to get "misplaced" not lost...

The plan is to drive from the LA basin area and start riding from Telluride from camp to camp (where ever that migh be) but I would be open to ideas of riding on Crested Btte or Durango.. I want this trip to be small on fire roads and big on single track
What type of reading would you recommend for the two areas mentioned above ??
How is the snow pack in Co at around June/July.... ?
I know its dependent on the snow fall but I figure snow should be all but gone except at the higher elevations ??


Thanks...

 

[edog's 80]

I'm going to PM you with some info.
Edog

 

[MANUCHAO]

Edog Thanks for all the info you provided... it came in really handy once I was there....

We rode the 401 what a classic trail that is...
It SUCKS riding at elevation 9k+ up to 11K and then bomb down single track for 5 miles on some of the most wicked and sweetest single track I have ever been on...

We also rode on Monarch Pass and Sunshine Trail near Crested Butte, Co.

Mr. Toad's Wild Ride used to be my fav trail... now is had become my 2nd fav Monarch Crest Baby # 1.

A mudder from Telluride "Altan".
It was cool having another FJ60 come and greet yah !! Awesome !!!!

Here are some pics...!!!


Camping and acclimating at Last Dollar Rd just north of Telluride... it rain every afternoon and it was nice to ride under the rain with the sun in your face... Just had to watch out for lightning.


Riding from 9k up to 11k... this sing marks the half way point. 3 miles up a gravel rd and another mile up single track...



Riding down the 401...this trail rocks !!! 5miles of this and aspen trees...

 

[MANUCHAO]

Views from the top of the 401



Trying to do some yoga ??? whuttever



She loved the wild flowers !!!

 

[MANUCHAO]

going the other way on the 401.. it was hard.


Sea of wild flowers as far as the eye can see


The way it looks from behind my handle bars...

 

[MANUCHAO]

Best single track I have been on...


The truck made it to Monarch Pass without any overheating issues with temps hovering at around 74 F.


We were pretty full on the back and 4 passengers on the front..4 bikes on the rear, jerry cans and spare tire.... The air bags kept the truck leveled but it wanted to wander a bit...

 

[MANUCHAO]

Riding at Monarch Crest Trail our highest point was fifty feet more from what the altimeter shows here... you can also see on the GPS we follow along the Colorado trail for a while...

 

[Sno bored]

Great pictures. Monarch Crest is one of my favorite trails, I rode it twice in one week last year.

 

[zornff]

My son and i will be riding Monarch Crest again 3rd week in August, Then on to crusty butt. Probably ride 401, Deer Trail, and maybe Teocalli Ridge. Great pics btw.

Mike

 

[mcewan13]

Wow! I've got to get out to CO.

 

[edog's 80]

Edog Thanks for all the info you provided... it came in really handy once I was there....

We rode the 401 what a classic trail that is...
It SUCKS riding at elevation 9k+ up to 11K and then bomb down single track for 5 miles on some of the most wicked and sweetest single track I have ever been on...

We also rode on Monarch Pass and Sunshine Trail near Crested Butte, Co.

Mr. Toad's Wild Ride used to be my fav trail... now is had become my 2nd fav Monarch Crest Baby # 1.

A mudder from Telluride "Altan".
It was cool having another FJ60 come and greet yah !! Awesome !!!!

Here are some pics...!!!

View attachment 343517
Camping and acclimating at Last Dollar Rd just north of Telluride... it rain every afternoon and it was nice to ride under the rain with the sun in your face... Just had to watch out for lightning.

View attachment 343518
Riding from 9k up to 11k... this sing marks the half way point. 3 miles up a gravel rd and another mile up single track...

View attachment 343519

Riding down the 401...this trail rocks !!! 5miles of this and aspen trees...

Dude... Nice! I am glad it helped. I try to make it to Monarch once a year. Did you guys finish on Rainbow trail? That is my favorite part. Take it easy, great pics.

E

 

[street tractor]

Awesome trip and pics! I'd love to see some pics of monarch crest!

There is no mountain biking town quite like the Butte! I'm heading there to ride in September, my favourite month in CO! If anyone wants to hook up for a ride in this area in Sept, let me know.

 

[wesintl]

Yeah.. The 401 is a friggen sweet ride. The upper and upper upper loop is gem as well for an eveing ride from town and beers after. All the other 400's aren't bad either. There are some great rides at hartmans rocks in gunni. Rage in the sage

 

[MANUCHAO]

Dude... Nice! I am glad it helped. I try to make it to Monarch once a year. Did you guys finish on Rainbow trail? That is my favorite part. Take it easy, great pics.

E

It did help a bunch.. thanks again !! and yes rainbow trail was the route we took... boy we had a grin on our faces for days after that ride !!!

Awesome trip and pics! I'd love to see some pics of monarch crest!

There is no mountain biking town quite like the Butte! I'm heading there to ride in September, my favourite month in CO! If anyone wants to hook up for a ride in this area in Sept, let me know.

Wish I had more pics of Monarch Crest but once you get riding on that single track is really hard to want to stop to take a pic... This trail rocks !!!

Yeah.. The 401 is a friggen sweet ride. The upper and upper upper loop is gem as well for an eveing ride from town and beers after. All the other 400's aren't bad either. There are some great rides at hartmans rocks in gunni. Rage in the sage

We are def going back next year.. doubt we go again this year but yah never know.. We probably drive straight to CB and skip Telluride all together... Amazing to see every home in CB had at least 2 bicycles if not more.. that's my kind of town...!!!

 

[street tractor]

Yeah, it's tough to stop when you're having so much fun on the flowy downhills that just keep on going...

Doctors Park is one of my fav downhills around there...no pedalling or braking for a LONG time!

Can't wait to get back.

 

[ravewoofer]

Holy smokes! Looks like you and your friends had a blast in CO. I gotta put that on my list to do although I think I'd need more than a few days to acclimate at 11,000 feet above sea level. A couple years back I was a Pike's peak and just walking would get me winded.

Nothing beats hauling down a great trail. Thanks for the photos.