Begin at Kenosha Pass trailhead. Best to get an early start if possible, as this trail took us much longer than we thought it would. The trail out of Kenosha is fairly easy and definitely scenic. It has a balance of uphill and downhill, although it does climb more as you get closer to the Georgia Pass area. This section is very lush and can be pretty treacherous when wet as there are many roots on parts of the trail that made for some slow going. Weather is unpredictable here too, so plan for bad weather!
The ascent up to Georgia Pass is more or less an easy climb, although the altitude (you are just above treeline) and strong winds may add some excitement for you. Once at the top, the views on both sides make the climb worthwhile and you will definitely want to bring a camera to record your journey. It is about 12 miles from Kenosha to the top, and may take about 3 hours depending on your ability. Technically, this section was not that hard.
The backside of the pass is where things start to get interesting. Once off the pass, you will immediately hit some great singletrack downhill and the climb up is forgotten. However, after a few miles you will run into some rocky sections of large boulders in the trail that will probably slow you down quite a bit. Roots are quite common in this section as well...and can also take their toll. We ran out of water (we carry 3L Camelbaks) about 6 miles below the pass, so make sure you take a water filter out there!
The CO Trail has been re-routed in one key place, and instead of following the road down for almost the entire length of the trail (as it appears on older maps), it now has a significant climb added in. If you have an up-to-date map, you will see this climb about 10-12 miles down from Georgia Pass. Be prepared as it is about 1000' over 1.5 miles and was quite difficult after having ridden in high altitude and having about 22 miles of trail behind us. It is a long steady climb to be sure, and you will be cursing the CO Trail folks for adding this section in...until you start going down again. This is some of the best singletrack you will encounter on the CO Trail anywhere from this point back to Denver. From the top of this ascent, almost all the way to Hwy 9, there are fantastic descents, easy and scenic forest sections, and just a few short climbs thrown in to keep you honest. Just great riding for the last 10 or so miles.
Once into Breckenridge, it is about a 4 mile ride up the bike path (south) until you get into the business part of town. You can ride to wherever you arranged to meet your friends. Have a nice meal, then jump in the car, head back to Kenosha (approx. 1 hour by car) to get your other vehicle, and call it a day. It took us about 8 hours to do the 32 trail miles...but we had some rain which made things extra slick and slow in a few places. A good weather day might cut that time somewhat. As with most any trail, you will want to bring a good map with you (we used the Latitude 40, Summit County Trails map).
This is a true epic ride, yes in the Monarch Crest league. Absolutely brutal day of climbing, but the best down hill section of any of the epic trails I've ridden in Colorado. Scenery is stunning, trail is amazing, this is a must ride! The trail that they added at the 20mi mark is a brutal sustained climb that would take a special breed to clean, but the down hill afterwards is spectacular. Might be my new favorite trail in Colorado. Lots of water and food!
| ThankBeautiful segment of Colorado Trail. Like most CO trails, this one is the same rocky, steep and breathtaking views 360*.
| ThankA weekday with the aspens turning - hate to see what the parking looks like on a weekend. Anyway, decided to skip the weekly Buff Creek ride and continue to Kenosha since I'd never been there. It is an amazing ride. I only went 9k out and back to get a feel for the elevation and hills etc. Might try to get one more in before the weather changes.
| ThankFantastic ride, especially the section from Jefferson lake and over. Be very careful of moose in this area, and for most of the summer keep riding or suffer death by mosquito.
| ThankThis trail has everything. Start up an easy short climb. Then descend out in the open with amazing views into some aspens. Some occasional techy spots, nothing too tough. Then starts a great long climb up to Georgia Pass. It's rooty enough to keep you on your toes, but not terribly difficult. Once over Georgia Pass the real fun begins. There is about a mile stretch of this descent that is very technical and fun. You will then cross a road and the trail gets very flowy and fast for a while before the last climb up. This is a few miles, some steep sections. It's not that tough if you started your ride somewhere closer than Kenosha Pass. Once at the top you get to start one of the best descents. Very fast, just a few fun little drops. I turned off on the Blair Witch Trail which is also crazy fun.
| ThankIf you're coming from Breckenridge then you'll need to head west for about half a mile on Revette Dr. (which is north of Breck) to find the trailhead. When you see a small pond on your left, park on the right side of the road. The trail goes behind the pond then there's about six switchbacks before you reach the top. You'll still be heading uphill after that but it won't be quite as steep as the switchbacks. Super Trail! Don't miss it! You can ride all the way to Kenosha or just turn around at anytime and head back to the trailhead.
| ThankThe Topo map on this site is incorrect. It lists Revette Dr. as "Peak One Dr." on the Breck side of the trail.
Rode up to Georgia Pass and back down, real fun trail. Initial descent is fun, fast, and ridiculously crowded. At the bottom the crowd thins out, and you get a few techie sections here and there beginning the climb up Georgia Pass, but nothing too tough. It's long climb up, but not too killer. At the top of Georgia Pass, rode Jefferson Creek back down. Once you get below treeline, there's some rocky switchbacks, then it stops switchbacking and is just fun, flowy, (well-placed) rockiness that makes for an awesome and minimally crowded downhill. Riding through the aspens on the way back to Kenosha Pass (before the climb) is smooth and fast singletrack, then a not-too-bad climb back up to Kenosha. All in all an awesome trail, tons of fun, nice big ride with beautiful views. Bring lots of water and enough food to keep yourself going for about 10-12 miles of climbing all said and done.
| ThankGreat single track. You must be in really good shape or this ride will crush your soul. The first descent is a lot of fun. Then their is a long climb up to lunch rock. From their the uphill is fairly steady but not too tough. Coming back down, the downhill is great to the lunch rock area. It's a little rooty from that point to the road. From that point the best section is the last bit of downhill to the car at kenosha. I liked this section best but by the time I got to it I was worked. Overall a great trail but you must be in very good shape.
| ThankFor a map of this trail, see the Colorado Trail/West Jefferson trail.
This ride is just awesome! This is a totally backcountry, high-alpine route that requires you to be on your game both physically, skill wise, and with your preparation. Be prepared for tons of climbing, descending, rocks, roots, and just generally tons of gnar. Also, the views of the South Park valley can't be beat! I highly recommend it!
| ThankRoots, rocks, reggae. Great fun to be had on this trail when you are going downhill. The uphills can be a slog though, especially with that thin air-make sure you are well fed for this one and bring along a lot of water and energy bars. Not very technical but occasional spots that require some work, mostly just a long grunt on the uphills and blazing fast down that can be troublesome if you hit a root wrong. Great views as well.
| ThankGive yourself plenty of time-took me just under 4 hours to complete.* Review edited 9/18/2011
I didn't ride all the way to Breck, just to Georgia Pass and back down for 24 miles of extacy! The views are awesome and so is the trail. You get a little bit of everything on this trail and it's amazing to see the diversity of the trail. We saw a moose and a bear along side the trail. There are quite a few technical sections and not many easy miles on this ride. Make sure you take lots of calories with and plenty of water. I went through my 3 liters on a 72 degree day but didn't run out. The altitude didn't get to me until after lunch rock but then it took it's toll even though there wasn't anymore technical spots.
| ThankRode Kenosha Pass to Georgia pass today. It is a fun trail, but it was definitely a challenge! I consider myself to be in good shape, and it kicked my arse and the other 3 in my group. Lots and I mean LOTS of roots to maneuver over. They provided a good challenge, and add the elevation, and it's a bruiser! You see a lot of more experienced bikers on this trail. Once you get to Georgia Pass though, you realize why you rode this beast. It's absolutely beautiful. One thing I had not see in any review is the mosquitos! They will eat you alive! We could not stop to take a decent breather, because in seconds they were all over you! Bring repellant!
| ThankHave ridden all over the US, and this is one of the best rides there is. I think much better then Buffalo Creek (still don't know how that trail is ranked #1). Some technical with roots, rocks, but no big drop offs. Views are outstanding. The trail can be taken all the way to Breckenridge, but we stopped at the top of Georgia Pass. Seemed like most people stopped prior to the climb up Georgia pass. The climb up Georgia pass is challenging depending on your conditioning. I would say not the best trail if in poor condition because of the altitude, but the nice thing is if you feel like your starting to bonk, you simply just turn around.
| ThankI rode this last fall as the aspens were turning. It was beautiful, challenging, & a complete blast. It was a long day in the saddle so bring LOTS of water. There are some technical spots that were beyond my skill level, but most of the ride is quality Colorado singletrack.
| ThankI rode it on my 29er hard tail. The descent towards Breck was fun but really rough. As a result, I am now a full suspension 29er convert.
This trail has classic Colorado single track. I consider it a must ride. It has nice views, killer climbs and fast down hills. But don't be fooled, the altitude makes for a serious workout. But all in good fun : )* Review edited 6/12/2011
| ThankThis is classic Colorado high altitude singletrack. It starts out pretty scenic and tame but turns into rooty, rocky fun.
It's an out and back, and make sure to save some gas for the climb on the way back out.
| ThankGreat scenery and great single track
| ThankFor anyone interested in an epic ride in Colorado's high country, this ride will not disappoint.
| ThankThis is the longest stretch of the Colorado Trail I've ridden. The trail is in excellent shape and winds through pine, aspen, and grassland. The climbs range from technically challenging to lung busting, but not that technical. Starting any ride at 10k' makes for an oxygen starved challenge, but your payoff will be substantial. We rode the route in mid-September and were treated to the full glory of aspens turning.
As one who primarily rides a road bike, this route was at my limit of ability. All in all, I am really glad I got to do the ride and wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone ready for a back country challenge.
Did the out and back with the lollipop at the top looping Jefferson Creek. I've done the out and back just on the CO trail before, but the Jefferson Creek Trail down is better. It's more technical, but narrower and goes through deeper, darker woods. Overall this is a great ride - it's all doable, nothing too tough but the miles, initial somewhat technical climb out of Jefferson Creek and altitude will kick your butt if you're not in pretty good shape. The last climb out of Guernsey Gulch on the way back is brutal - not too bad taken by itself, but after everything you've already been through it's hell. The ride is crazy pretty in late September with the Aspens turning, but draws a lot of lycra-barneys. I ran across at least four herds of them - over a dozen in each group. A bit frustrating when you're trying to pass, but you can't blame them for getting out to such a great place.
| ThankI love this trail , Iam going to try and go back before the snow starts to fly. I rode it with a group, it started raining on the way back down I was soaked by the time I got to the trail head. Cant wait to get back! This and bear creek are my kinda trails.
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