Cirque du Summit

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Not Allowed

A massive loop ride beginning and ending in Breckenridge, passing through Frisco, Silverthorne, Dillon and Keystone Resort.

The loop utilizes Shock Hill trails, the Peaks Trail, Old Dillon Reservoir, Oro Grande Trail, trails within the Homestead area of Keystone, and the western end of the Golden Horseshoe trails.

The ride includes 75%, or 35 miles of singletrack. There is also approximately 9 miles of paved roads and bike path, primarily between the end of the Peaks Trail and the beginning of the Oro Grande Trail to navigate, as well as about 2 miles of dirt roadway in the Keystone area.

The route is not exceptionally difficult technically, and there are no wicked-steep climbs; however the loop is pretty long warranting at least an Intermediate/Difficult rating. Plan ride time accordingly (at least 6 hours).

Because the ride passes through a number of towns there is ample opportunity to refuel, get mechanical assistance at a bike shop, or stop and socialize along the route. Some services may not be directly adjacent to the route as described; however, the adventurous cyclist should have no problem finding these services (after all, no one but the most adventurous is likely to attempt this loop!)

Wayfinding skills are important on this route. In particular between the Old Dillon Reservoir and the Aqueduct trails.

Description begins and ends at the South Gondola Lot in Breckenridge. Go west on Watson Ave turn left onto Park Ave then right at Mountain Thunder Lodge. Ride past the lodge to Pence Miller. Climb Pence Miller and connect to Shock Hill go right. Take this to Toad Alley, turn right. Ride to the Peaks Trail. Take Peaks Trail to Frisco. Ride through Frisco to the Dillon Dam Road and go east.

In one mile, look for the Old Dillon Reservoir trailhead on the north side of the road. Climb the trail to the reservoir. Ride clockwise around the reservoir (staying bellow the new dam) to the 11 O'clock position (west of the access road) and look for a doubletrack. With the recent construction this has become a little difficult to find. Descend the doubletrack, ride around a gate and after a few hundred feet look for a marked trail branching right. Take this to S. Adams Ave and turn left. Pass under I70, turn right on Wilderness Rd and then right onto the Town of Silverthorne, Blue River trail recpath adjacent to Stephens Way.

Follow the rec path south along the river and behind the outlet stores and climb the switchbacks at the base of the dam next to the ballfields to Anemone Trail (a paved road). The recpath begins again further east on the right side of the road. Climb to, and pass through an underpass below the Dam Road. Bear left at a fork in the recpath, passing steel pipe bollards, onto a concrete sidewalk adjacent to LaBonte St. Go left onto Buffalo St, ride to Lake Dillon Dr and go left to Hwy 6. Cross the highway and turn right onto County Road 51. Climb to the Tenderfoot Trail on the right above a water tank.

Begin on the Oro Grande Trail (# 65), passing Tenderfoot Trail after 1/4 mile. Ride Oro Grande towards the Summit County landfill. There are a number of intersecting trails both north and south of the trail along the route. Continue generally east. Oro Grande eventually climbs through a switchback near the landfill before descending to dirt County Road #66 near the Summit Shooting Range. Go left on the road between the range and substation. Follow this road in and out of one drainage. At the next drainage look for the Saints Johns Trail singletrack, at a #9035 marker on the right passing over a small berm.

Turn right onto the trail and descend, following the trail south of the Keystone Center near the bottom to Sts. John Road. Turn left ride to and across Hwy 6 onto Decatur Hill Rd. Take the buses only, tram road road east of the condos, bear right at a recpath junction riding over a timber bridge towards the base area. At Keystone Road turn right and look for Granny's Trail on the south side of the road.

Ride Granny's Trail west to Keystone Gulch Road. At the trailhead look for a singletrack on the west side of the parking lot. Take this and cross a small bridge. Turn hard left after the bridge and climb to the East Aqueduct Trail. Ride this west to the Soda Ridge Trail near Keystone Ranch Rd. Continue on the trail south to the intersection with Red Trail. Go right then left on the dirt road past the ranch to Soda Creek Trail. Take this to, and turn left onto Hay Trail. Climb to Blair Witch, take it to the Colorado Trail and turn right.

Top out the CT and descend the switchbacks. Ride around a pond and take a left onto the Swan's Nest trail, a gravel path south of the pond just before a bridge. Cross Revette Dr and continue on the gravel path that transitions to singletrack just before a small utility structure. Continue south on singletrack to Tiger Road. Turn left and ride to Gold Run Rd, go right.

Ride to Discovery Ridge trail. Climb up and over to Gold Run Rd (paved). Ride to the end of the road to Tom's Baby on the right. Climb to Middle Flume Trail. Ride to Mike's Trail descend to Lower Flume Trail. Ride south to the end of Lower Flume Trail. Descend to Huron Rd. Go right and descend to Hwy 9. Cross to the rec path and ride south back to the South Gondola Lot.