Steep prolonged climbs. Steep, prolonged (if you are lucky) descents. That pretty well summarizes most mountain biking in the Rockies.
If you want a break from that, but still want some interesting, FUN! and scenic singletrack, the Turkey Springs/Brockover Mesa Mountain Bike Network in the San Juan National Forest may be just what you are looking for.
The trailhead is only a few miles outside Pagosa Springs. Starting at an elevation of 7550 feet, these fairly flat, meandering trails only climb a
maximum of 600 feet to a high point of 8150 feet. There are gentle climbs (where you hardly notice you are going uphill) that drop into long, winding, shallow descents with plenty of tight, smooth corners to keep you paying attention.
Plan to make this a leisurely ride so you have time to look around. It is a very scenic trail with views of open Ponderosa forest glades, lush swale bottoms, rocky canyon rims, and long views of the continental divide. Or, if you need an adrenaline fix, this is can also be a fast, heart pumping multi-mile hoot!
This network allows for many different variations tying different trail segments together into different loops. 118 miles of possible routes are currently mapped on www.pagosatrails.net. (More trails will be added in the summer of 2011.) After you have done all of those, do all the loops backwards (they look and ride differently).
That is 236 miles of fun singletrack to entertain yourself with! Or explore and create your own route to fit your schedule and mood.
Interested? Visit www.pagosatrails.net if you want to read and print a copy of a map and route description to take with you. Be aware that neither the trailhead nor the route currently has any directional signage. Go there with a Boy Scout mindset: be prepared with map, compass, GPS, extra clothing, cell phone, water and whatever else you will need to stay safe in the forest. And wear a big smile!
 | Brockover Mesa - Best Of Brockover Loop |  | 15 mi |
| Brockover Mesa - Canyon Rim Loop |  | 8 mi |
| Brockover Mesa - Corncob Loop | | 12 mi |
| Brockover Mesa - Outer Loop | | 16 mi |
| Brockover Mesa - Yet Another Great Loop | | 15 mi |
Great little trail, can be as long or short as you want. beautiful views, fun, easy trail. not many technical features though.
| ThankAbsolutely rippin fun! What the group and the state have done together should be a moniker for what other small Mtn towns can accomplish. The whole trail network is phenomenal, 150% worth taking the time to ride. Go to The Hub and get the best trail map for the area.
| ThankThe trail was missing a bit of flow from beginning to end. It also felt like a perpetual rock garden on a hardtail. The canyon was much better than the trail about a 1/2 mile in from gate 5. I recommend FS or prepare for a good jostle.
| ThankComing from the Carolinas at about a mile lower in elevation, even the slightest climb becomes a chore, lungs were burning! Got out on this today with my father and did a quick section cutting across the middle. Great trail system with tons of variations to loops and mileage.
| ThankI rode a number of the trails starting from gate 5 outside of Pagosa Springs. Coming from Phil's World, I personally didn't find them all that fun. They were full of small, loose rocks and I never felt like I could get a good flow going. The terrain is pretty, but at least on a hard tail I felt like I was always bumping around and couldn't get in the groove. It wasn't technical really; it just wasn't that flowy or fun either.
| ThankThis is an incredibly beautiful and fun set of singletrack trails. All riders should find them enjoyable. The elevation is high enough that temps are not too hot most of the summer--even in the afternoon.
*As of the summer of 2013 these trails have been very well signed and maps are available at the USFS in Pagosa or in boxes at the trail heads.
| ThankLove this trail it's gorgeous!
| ThankThe Brockover trails are simply awesome. Almost endless variation. Ideal for beginner-to-moderate mountain bikers. Not much super technical terrain, but great if epic riding is your thing. Pagosa Springs is quickly becoming a mountain bikiing destination, and additional trail building is in the cards. Highly recommended!
| ThankThis is another of the many, fun variations of trail loops in the Brockover Mesa / Turkey Springs Network of Mountain Bike Trails.
| ThankA nice 12.45 mile loop in the using the sweet singletrack in the Brockover Mesa / Turkey
| Thanksprings network of MBT trails.
15 plus miles of mellow, flowing single track. Gotta love it!!
| ThankThis "Outer Loop" encompasses the network of trails in the Turkey Springs / Brockover Mesa MTB Trail Network. It is a mellow ride that shows the diversity of terrain the trail network incorporates.
| ThankThis trail isn't technically difficult, just plain fun! Lot's of variations too.
| ThankThis trail gives you a bit of everything; canopy, open meadows, moderate ascents & descents, canyon ridge riding, mountain views & various wildlife. Plenty of opportunity for hard core cyclists to push it hard!* Review edited 9/22/2010
| ThankNothing but sweet fun!
| Thank