CT - Segment 19 - 21 Detour: La Garita Wilderness Bypass

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• Colorado Trail: The Entire MTB Route - IMBA EPIC

This detour allows cyclists to bypass the La Garita Wilderness where bikes are not allowed. It begins at the end of Section 18 County Rd 17FF and will follow county roads for ~ 64 miles with ~6,100 of climbing and ~4,800 feet of descending to Spring Creek Campground. Most of the riding is fairly easy. The hardest climb is from Cathedral to Slumgullion Pass Camp Ground on Hwy 149. From there it's still about one to two miles of climbing on the Hwy and five miles to Spring Creek which is all downhill.

Plan on five to seven hours to complete this section depending on how strong you are. The detour sounds like a bad thing, but this section is just jaw dropping with gorgeous views and plenty of water sources. It's long, but in a way, it is a good break from all the high elevation and brutal climbs and riding preceding this section.