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Please be aware of seasonal closures on the Crown and
Rio Grande Trail. Trail cameras are in use and violations are reported. Rio Grande - Rock Bottom Ranch to Catherine Store segment is seasonally closed Dec. 1–April 30. Glassier Open Space is seasonally closed from Dec. 1–May 15.
Overview
This is a satisfying loop ride with easy climbs, rolling singletrack, and a fun descent. The ride ends with a cruise along one of the more scenic sections of the
Rio Grande Trail. There are limitless options for extending your ride once you get out to Prince Creek, but this featured ride shows the most direct route.
Need to Know
This ride can be started just about anywhere along the route, but is shown as starting from the Catherine's Store Trailhead along the
Rio Grande Trail.
Description
From the trailhead, head west on the
Rio Grande Trail about 3.0 miles into Carbondale before making a left on Snowmass Road. Take Snowmass Road about a mile before making a left on HWY 133. After about a mile on HWY 133 make a left on Prince Creek Road. Take Prince Creek Road for about a mile. The road will take a hard left with a big red barn on your right. In about 0.25 miles you'll pick up the
Prince Creek Trail on the left.
Enjoy a rolling and gradual climb for about 1.4 miles. Pick up
Monte Carlo and continue climbing, eventually getting to
Christmas Tree where you'll make a left. Climb up
Christmas Tree for about 0.5 miles before bearing left on
North Porcupine.
A short climb along a fence line before making a left on your first taste of descending.
North Porcupine is a fun traverse with punchy climbs and fast descents. Take this for about 2.5 miles where you get to a small meadow with a chicken coop/bee hive/cattle feeder looking thing.
Cross the meadow and pick up
Outie where you'll roll your way up and down to the intersection of
Buckhorn and
Innie. Bear left on
Buckhorn and enjoy the 3.0 mile descent back down to the valley floor and
Rio Grande Trail. Hang a left and take the
Rio Grande Trail back to your car in Carbondale.
Contacts
Shared By:
Matt L
with improvements
by Kristen Arendt
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