Colorado Trail: Searle Pass and Kokomo Pass (Copper Mountain to Camp Hale)

The portion of the Colorado Trail between Camp Hale and Copper Mountain is an absolutely fantastic section of the Colorado Trail! The singletrack is ripping, the climbs are tough, and the high alpine riding is unparalleled! My favorite part is getting to traverse between Searle Pass and Kokomo Pass, spending a significant amount of time way above treeline. Highly recommended!

The portion of the Colorado Trail between Camp Hale and Copper Mountain is an absolutely fantastic section of the Colorado Trail! The singletrack is ripping, the climbs are tough, and the high alpine riding is unparalleled! My favorite part is getting to traverse between Searle Pass and Kokomo Pass, spending a significant amount of time way above treeline. Highly recommended!

This is not a particularly steep trail, or a particularly technical trail, however the seemingly constant combination of both elevation gain and technical obstacles, makes this a pretty tough ride. There is not really any extended areas of smooth singletrack where you can just grind. You are constantly having to pay attention to your line the entire way up. Constant rocks and roots. Above tree line there will be some hike a bike sections as rocks cover the trail. The views above tree line are fantastic. The descent is really fun as it's not too technical, but enough to keep you on your toes the whole way. I rode this on a Sunday morning around 9 in August and did not see a soul until the top of the pass. A bit more crowded on the descent.

This is not a particularly steep trail, or a particularly technical trail, however the seemingly constant combination of both elevation gain and technical obstacles, makes this a pretty tough ride. There is not really any extended areas of smooth singletrack where you can just grind. You are constantly having to pay attention to your line the entire way up. Constant rocks and roots. Above tree line there will be some hike a bike sections as rocks cover the trail. The views above tree line are fantastic. The descent is really fun as it's not too technical, but enough to keep you on your toes the whole way. I rode this on a Sunday morning around 9 in August and did not see a soul until the top of the pass. A bit more crowded on the descent.

Great trail. Start literally under American Flyer, if you're looking at the lift at the bottom, go up towards the left of it and take a right on some doubletrack, then there will be signs for the CO trail. Big climb to the top of Searle, but mostly rideable, not super steep for the large majority of it. The altitude will get you, but the trail itself isn't super technical. Straightforward, just follow signs for the CO trail the entire time. Incredible views through big meadows, hugging a river the whole time, pretty enjoyable climb (as far as climbing goes). Soak up the views, then rip downhill - it's fast. The upper part until a creek crossing just screams over roots, rocks, singletrack, etc. Enough tech to keep you on your toes but not slow you down. Once you cross the creek, not quite as fun because it's more crowded and rolly, but still a good time.

Great trail. Start literally under American Flyer, if you're looking at the lift at the bottom, go up towards the left of it and take a right on some doubletrack, then there will be signs for the CO trail. Big climb to the top of Searle, but mostly rideable, not super steep for the large majority of it. The altitude will get you, but the trail itself isn't super technical. Straightforward, just follow signs for the CO trail the entire time. Incredible views through big meadows, hugging a river the whole time, pretty enjoyable climb (as far as climbing goes). Soak up the views, then rip downhill - it's fast. The upper part until a creek crossing just screams over roots, rocks, singletrack, etc. Enough tech to keep you on your toes but not slow you down. Once you cross the creek, not quite as fun because it's more crowded and rolly, but still a good time.

There are some amazing views on this ride, but be prepared to pay for them! There's a ton of climbing, and a decent amount of technically challenging riding. Mostly, though, you'll just be going up, and up, and up, and up. It's a lot of fun to have lunch at the pass and then fly back down a great descent to the base of Copper.

There are some amazing views on this ride, but be prepared to pay for them! There's a ton of climbing, and a decent amount of technically challenging riding. Mostly, though, you'll just be going up, and up, and up, and up. It's a lot of fun to have lunch at the pass and then fly back down a great descent to the base of Copper.

This is an awesome ride! One of my favorites. It is a long, gueling climb, but almost all in the shade. Once you poke out above treeline, the views are amazing, and the top half of the singletrack coming down is my favorite singletrack I have ridden! FAST, narrow, great tacky soil provides a lot of traction. Took just under 4 hours to ride the out-and-back to Searle Pass.

This is an awesome ride! One of my favorites. It is a long, gueling climb, but almost all in the shade. Once you poke out above treeline, the views are amazing, and the top half of the singletrack coming down is my favorite singletrack I have ridden! FAST, narrow, great tacky soil provides a lot of traction. Took just under 4 hours to ride the out-and-back to Searle Pass.

This is a very hard climb with very little relief going up. The trail includes alot of technical sections, couple washed out sections, and the tundra riding is very narrow, and not to mention that the entire climb is steep. You will find yourself doing a little bit of hike-a-bike. Trail is very well marked, and is an epic ride.

This is a very hard climb with very little relief going up. The trail includes alot of technical sections, couple washed out sections, and the tundra riding is very narrow, and not to mention that the entire climb is steep. You will find yourself doing a little bit of hike-a-bike. Trail is very well marked, and is an epic ride.

This trail is worth a ride. You can do it as an out-and-back or go all the way to Camp Hale. Most of the route is rideable, although you may end up pushing when you get to the tops of the passes.

This trail is worth a ride. You can do it as an out-and-back or go all the way to Camp Hale. Most of the route is rideable, although you may end up pushing when you get to the tops of the passes.

This is a fantastic ride. There's only about 2,500 feet of elevation gain, but when you're starting at almost 10,000 ft, that can really hurt. The alpine woodlands keep you company until you burst out above treeline and get to the gorgeous, million mile views. Although not that long, bring an extra Clif Bar and be prepared for the long haul. Also be prepared for rain/sleet/snow/lightning, even in August. This one rates high on the adventure scale.* Review edited 10/7/2007

I haven't ridden all of theis trail but what I have ridden is great.