Aspen Ridge Point-to-Point

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Allowed

Aspen Ridge is a spectacular dirt road ride through dense aspen groves that are among the most beautiful in the state. While this entire route follows dirt roads, a hardtail mountain bike is still the tool of choice due to big rocks, roots, steep descents, and loose gravel and dirt. A competent bike handler on a gravel bike could still negotiate this route, but it will definitely be spicy in spots.

Since this is a dirt road point-to-point route, there are several potential derivatives and start points. If you want to ride from downtown Buena Vista, you can pedal to the marked start point via dirt roads through Fourmile. The start point noted here is a pull-off on the side of Trout Creek Pass/Highway 24. For a safer parking area, you can also drive in a few miles and utilize the OHV trailhead, but that would cut out a few beautiful miles of pedaling.

If beginning from the trailhead shown here, you'll pedal uphill on CR 307, taking a right on CR 187. The first stretch of 187 winds through towering rock formations before beginning to climb gradually up the ridge.

Bear left/straight onto CR 185, and you'll officially be pedaling on Aspen Ridge Road. At this point, you can see the aspen groves crowning the ridge in front of you, and the road begins climbing in earnest.

The road gets rougher as you climb into the aspen grove. You'll roll up and down through the grove before topping out at a barely noticeable high point and then beginning the descent to Salida.

The upper stretch of the descent is rough and technical—this is the section that would be most difficult on a gravel bike, but it's a cinch on even a rigid mountain bike.

Take a right on CR 175 to finish the descent to Salida. Alternatively, for a more aggressive descent, you can take the singletrack Cottonwood Trail (via Beasway Trail and Rumba Trail ) down to Salida.

The ride passes several historic sites, including the Futurity ghost town, and some old mines—including a flooded quarry.