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Forest Hollow and Boy Scout Loop

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Difficult Difficult
 4.1 (62)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Central Rockies
  4. Glenwood Springs
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“A beautiful ride that covers a variety of terrain and scenery along the rim of Glenwood Canyon. ”

Mike Pritchard
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Map Key

19.4

Miles

31.3

KM

45%

Singletrack

7,911' 2,411 m

High

5,724' 1,745 m

Low

2,455' 748 m

Up

2,452' 747 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

23%

Max Grade (13°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Allowed

Overview

One of the best rides in the Glenwood Springs area. Your climbing efforts are rewarded by spectacular views high on the rim of Glenwood Canyon. Looking down from the Forest Hollow Trail, you can see the sliver of the Colorado River and the steep cliff edges below you. The forest here is thick with vegetation, wildflowers and buttery smooth singletrack.

The peace is eventually interrupted by a rip-roaring downhill section that is Scout Trail. You quickly change your mindset as the trail begins to descend in a fast, steep and fairly technical manner. Many switchbacks and some sandy sections make for some hairy but fun moments. Exposure is common on this section so be careful. Also, watch your speed as hikers are abundant on this section.

In the end, you are rewarded with libations galore in the quaint downtown of Glenwood Springs.

Need to Know

You can shuttle this ride by leaving one car near the Boy Scout trailhead and start the ride at bottom of Red Canyon Rd. - CR 115, start of County Road 120, or at BLM trailhead at start of BLM Route 8283. You can also ride the full loop, as shown on the maps here, by using the paved Rio Grand Trail as it swings past the west side of Glenwood Springs to make the connection.

Description

A Western Slope Classic! This ride begins a with moderate three-mile climb up Red Canyon Rd. - CR 115, followed by three miles of moderately steep, but technically easy doubletrack/ATV road on County Road 120, and BLM Route 8283 (nearly 2000 feet of climbing). The singletrack of Forest Hollow Trail begins just a few hundred yards on the left after the climb peaks. The Forest Hollow section is a smooth and flowing trail that meanders through the lush forest of the southern Glenwood Canyon Rim.

Beautiful views, fun tacky singletrack and many wildflowers await. After about six miles, the real fun begins on the Boy Scout Trail descent to Glenwood Springs. At about mile 12 of the ride, you begin to descend into the town of Glenwood on a steep and sandy trail that can be very challenging in spots. There are tight switchbacks, rocky sections and numerous ledges that will get your adrenaline pumping.

Be careful here as this is a popular hiking destination, easily accessed from Glenwood so PLEASE respect other trail users (MOUNTAIN BIKES ALWAYS GIVE THE RIGHT OF WAY). The trail ends in a quaint neighborhood, close to downtown Glenwood. Cold beers and good places to eat await.

Contacts

Local Club: Roaring Fork Mountain Bike Association

Jan 9, 2024: Job Posting – 2024 Seasonal Trail Crew Members Wanted!

Land Manager: BLM Colorado - Colorado River Valley Field Office

Shared By:

Mike Pritchard with improvements by Kristen Arendt and 1 other
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.1 from 62 votes

#1

in Glenwood Springs

#315

Overall
  4.1 from 62 votes
5 Star
34%
4 Star
45%
3 Star
16%
2 Star
3%
1 Star
2%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Glenwood Springs

#99

in Colorado

#315

Overall
24 Views Last Month
18,662 Since Aug 22, 2013
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Photos

Cruising on the Forest Hollow Trail above Glenwood Canyon.
Oct 7, 2015 near Glenwoo…, CO
Boy Scout Descent - Glenwood Springs
Jun 11, 2018 near Glenwoo…, CO
The lush forest of Glenwood Canyon
Jun 21, 2013 near Glenwoo…, CO
Glenwood Springs Canyon, I70, CO river
Aug 15, 2018 near Glenwoo…, CO
Wulfsohn Mountain Park trails are located on the gentle slopes above the Glenwood Springs Community Rec. Center and the Glenwood Meadows shopping center. Photo credit: Two Rivers Trails.
May 7, 2015 near Glenwoo…, CO
Looking back across the ravine at the Boy Scout Trail.
Apr 23, 2017 near Glenwoo…, CO

14 Comments

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Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 53 days ago
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Check-Ins

Aug 27, 2024
J Welle
With stitches. Shuttled camped at the top 10mi
Jun 25, 2024
Greg Chapman
Road climb very steep. First/Second gear climb all the way to top. Singletrack overgrown. Decent is brake burning/overgrown. Not recommended at all 21mi — 2h 30m
Jul 5, 2023
Kobie B
Jul 15, 2022
Chris Sheppard
Did this as a shuttle up the BLM road. Tricky to find the singletrack off the forest road but once you do it is amazing! Saw a bear on the trail
Mar 15, 2022
Private User
Oct 30, 2021
Darryl Fuller
10/30/21 DoubleTrack down to Forrest Hollow: greasy and messy. Forrest Hollow was in good shape. Top ~mile of Scout greasy. and muddy then mostly dry
Apr 25, 2021
Mitchell Plath
Oct 6, 2020
Karl Schwartz

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