Blackhawk Pass Loop

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Features Views

Blackhawk Pass is renowned as one of the most beautiful mountain bike rides in all of the San Juans! This massive big mountain loop has it all—long climbs, spectacular vistas, challenging rocks, whispering aspens, and a long, ripping descent. But with 4,000 feet of climbing, this spectacular ride doesn't come easy...

Ride starts and ends at Upper Hermosa Creek Trail Parking area. Enjoy a well-deserved dip in the river to cool off once you finish this loop.

The ride begins at the Upper Hermosa Creek Trail parking area (which offers a pit toilet). Simply reaching the trailhead requires a long drive down a dirt road, but thankfully the road is 2WD accessible.

From the trailhead, ride up Hermosa Park Road for about 9 miles and 2,300 ft of elevation gain. The intersection of the Jeep road and Colorado Trail Segment 26 will be obvious—there is a large flat area to rest next to a pond.

Bang a left at this junction and traverse the Colorado Trail, climbing up to Blackhawk Pass. Even before reaching the pass, you'll ride through a couple of smaller climbs and descents before the big push to the top.

Once at the top, drop your saddle and get ready to rip! It's a long, continuous downhill off the pass on a surprisingly buff singletrack trail that rolls down the mountainside.

After descending from Blackhawk Pass, the Colorado Trail will intersect with Hotel Draw Road. Despite every instinct to continue your descent, take a right at this intersection and go UP the road for a little bit. After pedaling uphill for about half a mile, you'll see a trail on your left (it is at the top of a particularly short but steep section of the road). This trail is Stagecoach Trail.

Bomb down Stagecoach through a gorgeous aspen grove. This is a super fast, mostly smooth downhill that keeps going and going. Stagecoach is mostly non-technical and flowy without any memorably challenging features, except for one optional rock roll.

After crossing the stream at the bottom, Stagecoach T's into the Hermosa Creek Trail. Take a left turn to return to the trailhead where you began.

All told: 26 miles and 4,500 feet of elevation gain.