Aspen FIFTY - 2019 Course

Race - Sep 15, 2019

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Not Allowed

The annual WEDU Aspen Fifty is entering its fourth year in 2018. The course remains similar to our 2018 event, with the neutral start and finish at Koch Park near downtown Aspen. The racing really starts at base of Smuggler Mountain Rd., and finishes at the Tiehack Bridge at end of Government Trail. We are also bringing back the shorter 50K finishing option that returns you more directly to Koch Park after passing through the Woody Creek area. Finish times for the 50K are taken at Stein Park on the Rio Grande Trail (where dirt trail becomes pavement) before you climb the Cemetery Lane bike path.

You'll enjoy a combination of new and classic singletrack, fast doubletrack, and smooth paved paths as you take a grand tour of the Aspen/Snowmass area. If you're lucky enough to score a spot in this event, thanks for supporting the Roaring Fork Mountain Bike Association! RFMBA's mission is to create and sustain the best possible mountain bike trails and experiences in the Roaring Fork Valley and beyond. We couldn't do it without ongoing support from our members, sponsors, and public land manager partners!

All trails, paths, and roads are open to the public during the event. Use caution and common courtesy when encountering cars and other trail users!

This course is a large loop that starts and ends at Koch Park near downtown Aspen (101 W. Cooper Ave.). Parking for the event is on the north side of town at the Aspen Music Festival parking lot, north of Gillespie St. between 3rd and 5th Streets. The neutral start will take Durant Ave. to left on Original Street, right on Neale Ave. ("No Problem" Bridge), right on King St., straight on Gibson Ave., left on Park Ave. The paved start of the big loop is over and racing is about to start!

Make a right onto Smuggler Mountain Rd., you're now on dirt and the first real climb, time to let the big effort begin!

Make a left onto Hunter Creek Cutoff, followed by a right onto Iowa Shaft Trail, and then a left onto Lower Lollipop. Make a right onto Hunter Valley South, cross the bridge, and turn right onto the Hunter Creek Trail. Turn left to start the climb up Hummingbird Trail. Take a hard right to continue onto the new Upper Hummingbird extension.

At top of Hummingbird, turn right onto FS Rd. 130, and then a short while later, another right onto Hunter Creek (Overlook) Trail. Make a left onto FS Rd. 130 - upper section, soon enough you'll top off at Van Horn Park - a good place to take a breather and enjoy the big views if you're in the mood.

From the top of Van Horn Park, turn right onto FS Rd. 131. Then a short few yards later, turn left onto the Hobbit Trail. It's a steep climb followed by a fast and flowing and mostly downhill section to the Four Corners junction. At end of Hobbit, make a right onto Tinpot, which is a big descent to the town of Lenado, where you'll make a left onto Woody Creek Road. You'll find aid station #1 in this area.

You're now on a big road descent, first dirt, then pavement, down to Woody Creek. At the road's end, make a VERY sharp left, almost a 180-degree left turn, onto Upper River Road. Pedal past the Woody Creek Tavern, make a brief right onto Smith Hill Way, and then a quick left onto the Aspen Mass bike path, which climbs up to the Intercept Lot.

From Intercept Lot, climb up Brush Creek Bike Path, then enter the Roundabout to make a right onto Highline Rd. (watch for cars!). Make a left 150 yards later onto dirt road, then a right onto Highline trail 50 yards later. Continue left onto Lowline Trail, then left again on Lowline Trail, and after a series of switchbacks, right onto Highline trail again. Cross Owl Creek Rd. to find the start of Tom Blake Trail and Aid Station #2. Climb and traverse Tom Blake Trail all the way (many intersections and turns to watch for) to the Snowmass Village Mall area, where you'll turn left and climb the Discovery Trail, and then turn right to continue climbing up Village Bound Trail to West Government Trail. After descending, traversing and climbing most of West Government Trail, you'll be at a busy Snowmass Bike Park intersection where you'll continue on West Government Trail, then drop down a short section of Verde Trail to Aid Station #3.

From Aid Station #3, drop down Government Trail on the long homestretch all the way to the Tiehack base of Buttermilk. . Take care 200 yards into this trail as you cross over the Valhalla Trail, watch for bike park downhill riders at this intersection.

The race times and finish places will be taken at the bottom of Government Trail on Tiehack Rd. Ride the neutral finish back to Koch Park by crossing the Tiehack Bridge, make a left on to Moore Open Space trail, follow bikes paths to Marolt Open Space connector, and then follow more bike paths to a left on S. 7th Street, a right on Hopkins Ave., and a right onto Midland Trail to return to the finish area. Please note that racing on this final neutral part of the route could affect future versions of this event. Please use these final miles as a cool down and yield to other trail users.