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Buzzard Gulch Loop

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
 3.9 (23)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Southwest Rockies
  4. …Montrose
  5. Buzzard Gulch Trail System
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“Fun easy singletrack close to Montrose. ”

Tim Judkins
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Map Key

11.6

Miles

18.7

KM

60%

Singletrack

6,672' 2,034 m

High

6,177' 1,883 m

Low

1,050' 320 m

Up

1,058' 322 m

Down

3%

Avg Grade (2°)

10%

Max Grade (6°)

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Allowed

Don't ride when muddy. Wear orange during hunting season!

Overview

Buzzard is a combination of trails that have been dramatically improved and expanded by the BLM in 2012-2013. The trails are named and intersections are numbered, but it's pretty easy to find your way around. It isn't very technical, but can provide a good workout on singletrack close to town.

Need to Know

The BLM publishes a helpful map of the area:

blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/ufo/rec…

Description

To get there from town head out towards Dave Wood Rd, but take a sharp right on Popular Rd and go west about 3/4 mile. Take a left on Spring Canyon Rd and the TH will be on the left in about 1/4 mile.

Ride up the doubletrack from your car. There is a left turn that goes back towards Dave Wood Rd about 1/2 mile in. Pass this and continue straight up Buzzard Gulch. The doubletrack eventually turns into singletrack and there are numerous splits as you head south. I suggest climbing the east side trails and descending the west side.

At the top, you have the option of continuing south on doubletrack to meet up with Dave Wood Rd (and Lower Spring Creek Trail) or you can head about 1/8 mile west to a nice overlook at Spring Creek Canyon. The descent on the west side trails is fun and flowy. Watch out for cacti!

Contacts

Local Club: Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Trail Association

Land Manager: BLM Colorado - Uncompahgre Field Office

Shared By:

Tim Judkins with improvements by Edd Franz and 1 other
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  3.9 from 23 votes

#2

in Buzzard Gulch Trail System

#1244

Overall
  3.9 from 23 votes
5 Star
26%
4 Star
39%
3 Star
35%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#2

in Buzzard Gulch Trail Sy…

#264

in Colorado

#1,244

Overall
53 Views Last Month
10,615 Since Jul 27, 2013
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
29%
19%
48%
0%
5%
0%
Add a Photo

Photos

Marcus rice catching some air on Rusty Buckets
May 29, 2014 near Montrose, CO
Coming hot off of PJ Way.
Jul 25, 2016 near Montrose, CO
Upper Buzzard Gulch through the sagebrush.
Jul 25, 2016 near Montrose, CO
On the edge of the rim
Aug 3, 2018 near Montrose, CO
The boneyard
Aug 1, 2013 near Montrose, CO
East access to Vulture Rim
Jan 17, 2015 near Montrose, CO

2 Comments

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 45 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Apr 5, 2023
Alex Garhart
Oct 16, 2022
Eric Koval
Oct 15, 2022
Kenny Davis
7mi — 1h 25m
Aug 12, 2022
Mike Prouty
6.4mi — 0h 59m
Jun 18, 2022
Mike Prouty
10.6mi — 1h 34m
Jun 2, 2022
Benjamin Kaufmann
May 31, 2020
Krisana Barrett
7.4mi — 1h 40m
Apr 28, 2020
David Nixon
Fun time as usual. 14.7mi — 1h 20m

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