Snowmass trails offer picturesque challenges

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Snowmass trails offer picturesque challenges

By Ted Crawford
Special to the News

Snowmass doesn't have a big reputation among most bikers, but it should.

The area boasts several pristine Rocky Mountain single-track routes complete with columbine flowers, lush pine forests, bubbling creeks and majestic mountain vistas.

It's a steady and often steep climb up Dawdler Road for 1.3 miles.

At Burlingame lift, look for the single-track trail traversing northwest across the slope. Pick up the Government Trail and prepare for some tight and technical switchbacks. Go up and down the easier Ditch Trail and continue cruising down next to the irrigation ditch, crossing Divide Road to Sleighride and back to the trailhead.

IF YOU GO

Bicycle: Mountain bike

Location: Southwest of Aspen

Surface: Dirt road with some loose spots, narrow and wide single track

Distance: Loop is 5.9 miles

Difficulty: Moderate climb in high altitude, more advanced tight switchbacks with exposed roots and rocks, easy cruise along Snowmass Creek

Ride time: Two to three hours

To reach Dawdler Road: From 82 southwest of Aspen, take Brush Creek Road to Snowmass Village and mall. Following the signs to the Upper Village, go right at the transit center and park in one of the public lots. Ride up the steep concrete road where it turns to dirt. Take the first left and an immediate right up Dawdler Road.

OTHER RIDES

Village Bound: As an alternative to the 1.3 mile climb up Dawdler Road, the Burlingame Lift accommodates riders and bikes to access a series of fun single-track trails. In addition to the Government Trail West, the Luge Trail, and newly completed Village Bound Trail zig-zag down the ski slopes and end at Snowmass Village. Both are fun and rated as moderate but ridable for beginners. The lift is $10 for all day.

Rio Grande Trail: The Denver and Rio Grande Railroad was Aspen's first in 1887 and the abandoned railroad bed offers easy, scenic riding along the Roaring Fork River. From the paved bike path running through Aspen, head southwest. The path has numerous dirt spurs that are fun options. Just before a bridge at Cemetery Lane, go left under the bridge where the trail turns to dirt. Ride behind Red Butte and onto a junction at 5.8 miles. A more technical single track goes left or the dirt road right goes past houses to a paved road and junction to Woody Creek, where a popular tavern offers refreshments.

Smuggler to Hunter Valley: Maps are found at most shops in town for the ride up Smuggler Mountain just east of Aspen. The four-wheel road climbs to join a trail along Hunter Creek before crossing a bridge to residential streets and back to Aspen.

E-mail Ted Crawford at tcrawford@dslbroadband.com.

July 7, 2000

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