Best alpine rides in Durango
When summer rolls around, it’s time to get high — here are the best high-altitude rides in the San Juans and La Platas
From Durango, the San Juan and La Plata mountains rise nearly vertically — one can easily drive up to and over 11,000 feet above sea level on a paved, year-round road in less than 45 minutes from downtown Durango.
While Durango has a wealth of mid-elevation and desert-country rides, just outside of town are hundreds of miles of high-alpine mountain bike trails, many of them fully above treeline, in wildflower-studded meadows, passing beneath jaw-dropping scenery.
Alpine rides are a singular and unique feature of mountain biking in the Durango area, and many rides are surprisingly mellow (once you get used to breathing the thin air at 12,000 feet). These rides should not be taken too lightly, though — riders should be on the lookout for remote terrain far from help and cell phone service, dangerous summer thunderstorms, occasional mid-summer blizzards, and sometimes-unfriendly wildlife. In other words, go prepared.
Ready to ride? Here are some of the top alpine mountain bike rides in the Durango area.
Colorado Trail – Big Bend
The Colorado Trail famously runs from Denver to Durango. This stretch occupies alpine terrain near the tail end of the ride, in the La Plata Mountains. The La Platas are a sub-section of the San Juans, distinct yet roughly connected.
This section of the trail starts atop La Plata Canyon, which is just west of Durango and north of Hesperus, though it can also be accessed from the southern terminus of the Colorado Trail just outside of Durango. Note that while the trailhead is accessible by road, the upper 2 miles of La Plata Canyon are rough and require four wheel drive and high clearance.
From the Kennebec trailhead, which sits at 11,600 feet, follow the trail northbound as it snakes along and just beneath a ridge and passes Taylor Lake, which is accessible by a short spur. From here the trail makes a brief steep climb before crossing the 12,200-foot level and running north along a prominent ridge. After about 2 miles, the trail starts to gradually lose elevation, at times using switchbacks, as it comes of the La Plata and heads into the intermediate terrain south of the central San Juans. Options for multi-day loops include drops into Rico and Hermosa, or a push along the train toward Molas Pass.
Colorado Trail – Molas Pass
Molas Pass is the first major road crossing of the Colorado Trail if you are headed northbound, and where many riders will hop off in order to circumnavigate the Weminunche Wilderness, where bikes are not permitted.
The CT from Molas southbound offers several miles of mile above-timberline riding and exceptional views. The trail heads generally westward, along the southern slopes of Grand Turk and the Twin Sisters before dropping into the headwaters of Cascade Creek.
The first few miles of trail are fairly gentle and a good spot for intermediate bikers who want the feel of the alpine without going crazy remote. One drawback to this section is that its proximity to US 550 means there’s plenty of foot traffic, especially on weekends. There’s a mildly busy campground near the trailhead.
Colorado Trail/Continental Divide Trail – Jarosa Mesa
The San Juans aren’t just the Ouray-Silverton-Durango corridor – they actually arc miles to the east before jogging southward into New Mexico.
This section of trail follows a much less-known section of the CT and the Continental Divide Trail north of Creede and south of Lake City, launching from Spring Cree Pass and heading generally westward.
From Spring Creek, the trail climbs through alpine forest before breaking into the tundra on Jarosa Mesa. The mesa is a vast treeless plain where you may occasionally share the trail with motorized vehicles, though traffic is generally much lighter than what you find to the west. Riders could make an 18-mile loop with less than 3,000 vertical feet of climbing here by piecing together the CT/CDT, the Jarosa Mesa Loop Trail, and state Route 149.
Pass Creek to Engineer Mountain
This high-altitude classic, when paired with a car shuttle or a 4-mile road ride, is a sweet half-day ride that features cool forest, sweeping alpine vistas, a massive downhill ride, and the ability to get about as close as possible to iconic Engineer Mountain.
Start pedaling this ride on Coal Bank Pass and follow the Pass Creek Trail up. This trail is generally fully rideable, though a workout for sure. Just after you break above treeline you meet the Engineer Mountain Trail. Turn left here, pedal across a gentle summit and alongside Engineer, then begin a massive downhill ride. The trail passes back into trees, edges along the side of a cliff so huge it will make your palms sweaty, then ducks into a series of open wildflower-studded meadows followed by shimmering aspen glades – this trail is memorable no matter what season you ride it. The trail ends at a spur road just off U.S. 550 – hopefully you have a ride waiting here, otherwise it’s a straightforward hitch back up to Coal Bank, or a moderately steep 4-mile road ride with narrow shoulders and lots of Texans driving impossibly large RVs.
No matter which high-altitude ride you choose in Durango, be sure to stop by Brimstone Bikes for a pre-ride tune up and updates on the latest trail conditions. Pedal the Peaks can also set you up with bike rentals and get you any last-minute items you may need for a day in the saddle.