Colorado Trail: Silverton to Durango IMBA Epic

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Running 75 miles one-way, this spectacular trail crosses several soaring mountain passes over 12,000 feet above sea level as it works its way along one of many vaulted crests in the San Juan mountain range.

Some riders will pedal this renowned singletrack while bikepacking the entire Colorado Trail (CT) from end-to-end (albeit with reroutes on dirt roads around Wilderness areas). Others will choose to bikepack this uninterrupted 73-mile segment on its own. However, if you're more of a day ride-type mountain biker, this epic CT segment is home to at least four spectacular day ride combinations — more, if you're willing to do some research and get creative.

Yes, this ride can feel like a grunt at times, but if you take the time to look up from your climbing, you'll find that you're traversing along the spine of one of the most beautiful mountain ranges anywhere in the world. Towering rocky peaks surround you, with endless ridges trotting off into the distance. Layers of red rock give the San Juan mountains a unique character, contrasting beautifully with the stereotypical gray granite and the green of the lush vegetation on the slopes below.

This epic segment of the Colorado Trail begins from Molas Pass, just on the west/southwest side of the Weminuche Wilderness bypass and the Molas Pass Wilderness Study Area. From here, a 73-mile uninterrupted segment of bike-legal singletrack runs all the way to Durango.

The Colorado Trail (CT) begins by climbing from Little Molas Lake and then winding across the mountainside before crossing as 12,300-foot pass. From there, the trail drops a bit and traverses to reach Bolam Pass, the first dirt road crossing thus far. This is a great access and exit point, and there's also a hut on Bolam Pass that can be booked for lodging.

From Bolam, the CT skirts around the backside of Hermosa Peak and climbs up and over the famed Blackhawk Pass. Despite being just shy of 12,000 feet, this section is one of the most scenic in the San Juans.

After descending Blackhawk, the CT rolls along a fairly mellow ridgeline before climbing again to an elevation of almost 12,300 feet at Efendi Peak.

Finally, the CT finishes with a raucous descent from Kennebec Pass, dropping almost all the way into downtown Durango. On a bike, you can reach downtown with a few downhill paved road miles to finish.