The gem of Aspen area. Best ridden west to east. From Divide Rd. TH also the start of the Ditch Trail, head out Ditch Tr and about a half mile or so is the Connector Trail on your left. This is a short cut to Government. Stronger riders will continue another mile down Ditch, past the bench and up to the start of Government which is on the left going uphill just as Ditch starts to descend rapidly. The start is very steep and rocky and may require a push or two within the first mile. Soon the trail becomes smooth and levels out a bit before traversing the mountain. From the intersection of Connector and Government, this awesome singletrack meanders up/down and over/around with any climbing involved to be at a minimum. Very scenic yet demanding. Great high altitude singletrack. Drops abruptly into Maroon Creek in Aspen. Can catch a free bus back to Snowmass Village or ride bike path. PLEASE NOTE : East Government has wildlife protection closures in place each year from Elk Camp to Buttermilk Trail is closed and enforced from May 15 - June 27th. Opens June 28, 2020.
Awesome ride from Snowmass. Take lots of water and enjoy the incredible views.
| ThankRode this from the Aspen side and almost coughed up a lung! I think the better direction would be the reverse of this. Awesome views!
| ThankI have no idea how this trail is so highly rated. If you ride for views...there are none, if you ride for flow...there isnt any, and if you like tech...there are endless uphill rock gardens that require as much skill as strapping on your helmet. Sorry, just doesnt fit my classic criteria... Prince creek, lunch loops, doctor park those are classics... Plenty other great options in aspen.
| ThankThis is a great XC trail.
| ThankMost of this trail should be open by July, though expect snow on the ground and lots of slop this time of year until late summer. Aspen recently received a heavy snow and it may still be closed. I rode this in August in 2010 and it was a blast and a challenge. I recommend taking the ski lift up at Snomass and riding from Snomass to Aspen. There are some long beautiful downhills and some sweet, tight, serpentine singletrack through aspen and wildflowers. Except for some steep climbs over very rocky terrain in some sections, and some screaming downhills that throw down some lateral G's, there is nothing exceedingly technical about this trail...unless, of course, you go full throttle. Then it is easy to break your bike or your neck. This has to be one of the best singletracks in Colorado with the alpine vistas and sense of solitude in multi-colored meadows. FYI, you can buy a multi day summer ski pass in Snowmass village and rent a trail/all-mountain bike from several local bike shops for a reasonable fee (about $120/3 days). FYI...this is NOT a doubletrack trail.
| ThankWhy is this rated double black? I took my girl friend on this trail and ya she had to hike a few spots but she just started. Its really fun, and by far the best trail in Aspen and you can ride the whole thing from town.
| ThankClassic High Altitude Singletrack. Great scenery, very demanding.
| Thank