We met up with some friends at Ska Brewery the other night to drink beer, chat, and watch a bike race at went through the brewery. We originally met these friends when they were traveling around in their van and passed through Bend. They live in Durango full time now and it was fun to catch up and get some ride intel from them!
Animas Mountain
Animas Mountain has some of the most technical trails in Durango. We opted to do a clockwise loop. The trail starts with some steep switchbacks right out of the trailhead lot and then climbs steadily for 3 miles. I think it was 1400′ of climbing in that first 3 miles. But it’s a beautiful climb first along the rocky cliff with views of the mountains, then up through the forest with trees and flowers everywhere.
At the top we had our choice of descents and opted for Sick Bird. This is an advanced trail and quite steep and rocky in places. Really tough riding. Part of the way down we came upon some hikers. They scrambled and got out of the way as we came by but one slipped and fell on me as I passed and made me crash into the bushes and rocks on the side. Sucks. I have a couple bruises and scratches and a cut on my knee but nothing a little ice, ibuprofen and antibiotic cream didn’t fix.
Junction Creek, Dry Fork and Hoffheins Trails
A lot of the high country Colorado Trail, actually almost all of it, is under snow. I’ve been checking Trails2000.org for info and noticed that one section of the trail was clear. Off we went. We rode up Dry Fork and up the CT for quite a ways, then turned and came a long way down to the river before turning around. We climbed back up the CT and took a trail called Hoffheins Connect and then back down Dry Fork. Nice loop, again, around 2500′ of climbing. I’d highly recommend this ride. Such fun trails.
“Day off”
Ok, so it was almost a day off. We had a relaxing morning at camp, Derek made scones for breakfast, and then we decided to ride around some of the gravel roads by where we are camped. We’re between Mancos and Durango by snowy Madden Peak. We rode our bikes out and back along an old railroad grade and then I ventured on up the road that climbes to Madden Peak. It’s a steady climb and really no cars at all other then other people camping. It was good to explore and see more beautiful countryside.
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