Aspen Loop is a burly doubletrack/gravel/singletrack big loop in Mancos. We’ve ridden the entire thing before, but this time I did just part of it as a loop with another gravel road to get out to Sharkstooth Pass Trailhead.
I started from the trailhead just past Transfer Campground in Mancos, CO. The trail is not open to vehicles which is fabulous. It’s too narrow and rough in most places anyway. It starts in a beautiful aspen forest and climbs up and up and up through fir trees, and plenty of wild flowers. This early in the summer there are still creek crossings and some mud spots which is refreshing. I did somehow forget about the super steep rocky jumble some call “the wall”. I hiked up that but have ridden down it before.
The views of the La Plata Mountains peak through the trees all the time, and when I popped out on gravel road 350 I hung a right and took that to Sharkstooth TH. This section is pretty rough but I was on my mountain bike so no problem. After admiring Twin Lakes (more like ponds), I had a snack while I basked in the sun and stared up at Hesperus Mountain.
From here you can retrace your route, our take a series of gravel roads back to Transfer Campground. Don’t forget your bug spray!
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