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Level: Advanced
Length: 20 mi (32.2 km)
Surface: Singletrack
Configuration: One-way
Elevation: +2,156/ -2,879 ft
Total: 34 riders
Mountain Biking Colorado Trail: Kennebec Pass To Junction Creek
#97 of 1,392 mountain bike trails in Colorado
The final, yet spectacular, section of the Colorado trail combining amazing views with breathtaking descents. Above tree line riding combined with lush and technical creekside riding make this one of Colorado's great epics. Although there is 6000 feet of descent, expect a long and difficult climb at mile 7.
First added by lidarman on Aug 26, 2010. Last updated Aug 9, 2022. → add an update
Before you go
- Drinking water: yes
- Lift service: no
- Night riding: no
- Pump track: no
- Restrooms: no
- Fat bike grooming: no
- E-bikes allowed: no
- Fee required: no
This trail information is user-generated. Help improve this information by suggesting a correction.
From Durango, take US 160 west. Just past Hesperus, turn right on Co Rd 124. Take Co Rd 124 to Kennebec Pass and start on the Colorado trail toward Durango from here. Co Rd 124 is a very rugged jeep road as it approaches the pass. This is a very long shuttle and would be well worth hiring a ride up.
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I got shuttled up with a few of my conworkers who were biking this route. I ran all 21.45 miles and it’s not easy. there is a creek so having a water filter is what you need and want. it does it hot as you drop down and the climbing is insane. go with a group and stay with your group. cause once you’re out there you’re on your own until gusty rest point, from there you have about 2.5 miles left until the fire road.
| ThankVery good portion of a larger route and perfect section for a whole day epic ride. Classic Colorado ride, where you moving either up or down over rocky terrain.
| ThankWhat an absolutely spectacular section of trail! The climbs are heinous, but the descents are long, technical, FAST, and so worth it! The views off the top are classic Colorado 12,000-foot views... bring your camera! This is probably my favorite section of the Colorado Trail that I've ridden thus far, with Kenosha Pass coming in as a close second place.
| ThankThis ride is also know as the High Point since you climb from the trailhead almost non-stop until you turn around near the 9 mile mark. This section of trail near durango is somewhat busy, but very well maintained and some really fast and mildly technical riding. Gudy's Rest provides a nice overlook back to Durango after the mile and a half of switchbacks.
| ThankThis is an EPIC trail. If you are going to shuttle, drop a car off in town and and then drive up La Plata Canyon Rd and look for a parking area on the right about a mile after the pavement ends. Ride up the 4x4 rd another 10 miles. At the top you will have tremendous views of the La Plata, La Salle, and San Juan Mountains. it is 26 miles single track along the Colorado Trail back to Junction Creek trail head, and another 4 miles into Durango. The trail starts at the top of the La Plata Mountains along a rocky ridge above treeline, and blasts downhill for 15 miles or more through wild flowers, pines, a variety of terrains, before some climbing. There is a good 1000 foot climb out before another screaming, long downhill out. Ride it as a loop from town and you are looking at 65 miles with 5000 feet or more elevation gain.
| ThankOut-and-back rides are often greatly under appreciated. This is a classic example. Like back-coutry skiers who earn their turns by skinning up mountains, routes like this allow you to earn your whooping downhills by climbing them first.
| ThankA fantastic "epic"! My wife and I rode this with some great friends who are Durango locals. We started near the intersection of 160 and Co Rd 124 and schlogged the dirt road climb. I think we ended up covering about 37 miles in total. The best description would be a combination of "Epic Ride", "Great Scenery", "Sweet Singletrack", and "Tough Climbs". Next time, I'm taking my video cameras!
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