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A beautiful dirt road ride through wide-open prairie land and thick aspen groves.


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Map Key

29.9

Miles

48.2

KM

0%

Singletrack

10,314' 3,144 m

High

7,040' 2,146 m

Low

2,404' 733 m

Up

4,054' 1,236 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

16%

Max Grade (9°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Allowed

Overview

Aspen Ridge is a spectacular dirt road ride through dense aspen groves that are among the most beautiful in the state. While this entire route follows dirt roads, a hardtail mountain bike is still the tool of choice due to big rocks, roots, steep descents, and loose gravel and dirt. A competent bike handler on a gravel bike could still negotiate this route, but it will definitely be spicy in spots.

Description

Since this is a dirt road point-to-point route, there are several potential derivatives and start points. If you want to ride from downtown Buena Vista, you can pedal to the marked start point via dirt roads through Fourmile. The start point noted here is a pull-off on the side of Trout Creek Pass/Highway 24. For a safer parking area, you can also drive in a few miles and utilize the OHV trailhead, but that would cut out a few beautiful miles of pedaling.

If beginning from the trailhead shown here, you'll pedal uphill on CR 307, taking a right on CR 187. The first stretch of 187 winds through towering rock formations before beginning to climb gradually up the ridge.

Bear left/straight onto CR 185, and you'll officially be pedaling on Aspen Ridge Road. At this point, you can see the aspen groves crowning the ridge in front of you, and the road begins climbing in earnest.

The road gets rougher as you climb into the aspen grove. You'll roll up and down through the grove before topping out at a barely noticeable high point and then beginning the descent to Salida.

The upper stretch of the descent is rough and technical—this is the section that would be most difficult on a gravel bike, but it's a cinch on even a rigid mountain bike.

Take a right on CR 175 to finish the descent to Salida. Alternatively, for a more aggressive descent, you can take the singletrack Cottonwood Trail (via Beasway Trail and Rumba Trail ) down to Salida.

History & Background

The ride passes several historic sites, including the Futurity ghost town, and some old mines—including a flooded quarry.

Contacts

Shared By:

Greg Heil

Trail Ratings

  3.0 from 1 vote

#4160

Overall
  3.0 from 1 vote
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Recommended Route Rankings

#650

in Colorado

#4,160

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Photos

Frontside trail provides stellar views of the high peaks surrounding Salida.
May 19, 2015 near Salida, CO
Riders on the new lower extension of Rusty Lung.
Nov 12, 2018 near Salida, CO
Excellent Salida viewpoint from Jalapeno.
Mar 31, 2014 near Salida, CO
The sun sets on the new and improved Burnpile Trail.
Jan 30, 2017 near Salida, CO
Aspen Ridge in the fall.
May 21, 2024 near Salida, CO
Aspen Ridge in the fall.
May 21, 2024 near Salida, CO

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