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Canyon Creek Loop

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Difficult Difficult
 4.4 (41)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Central Rockies
  4. Monarch Pass
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“A grueling road climb up to tree line then a big hike-a-bike followed by fantastic descending. ”

Michael Klimek
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Map Key

19.6

Miles

31.6

KM

60%

Singletrack

12,551' 3,826 m

High

9,248' 2,819 m

Low

3,576' 1,090 m

Up

3,589' 1,094 m

Down

7%

Avg Grade (4°)

31%

Max Grade (17°)

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Allowed

Features Views

Overview

One of the highest trails in Colorado, topping out on a mountain above 12,600 feet, and one of the longest continuous descents in the state. A great option if you're over the Monarch Crest.

Description

This ride starts with a big road climb up Tomichi Pass Rd. Progressively more blown out road, progressively steeper, progressively demoralizing. The Canyon Creek trail starts with over a 1,000' hike-a-bike up blown out and loose switchbacks up to an elevation of over 12,600'. There's major exposure, so watch yourself in case of bad weather rolling in. Start early in the day!

The descent starts up on the ridge, way above treeline. There are tremendous views and high-speed singletrack, making this extremely memorable. You drop into a forest, and it's arm pump central, high-speed moto trail in the forest with good trail tread and lots of little pump sections courtesy of big horsepower. The trail eventually flattens and the descent is pedalier. the trail ends with a short climb followed by a delicious high-speed (albeit short) descent back to the Tomichi Pass Rd. at Snowblind campground.

Contacts

Land Manager: USFS - Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison Nat. Forests

Shared By:

Michael Klimek
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.4 from 41 votes

#3

in Monarch Pass

#419

Overall
  4.4 from 41 votes
5 Star
51%
4 Star
39%
3 Star
5%
2 Star
5%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#3

in Monarch Pass

#113

in Colorado

#419

Overall
18 Views Last Month
20,805 Since Aug 20, 2013
Difficult Difficult
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Photos

Colorado high country riding at its best on the Canyon Creek Trail.
May 31, 2016 near Salida, CO
The above-treeline descending on Canyon Creek is seriously grin-inducing.
Sep 6, 2016 near Whitepine, CO
Big views on Canyon Creek Trail.
Oct 7, 2016 near Whitepine, CO
Greg D. finally done with the Canyon Creek hike-a-bike!
Oct 7, 2016 near Whitepine, CO
Greg D. showing off his moto brake lever style on Canyon Creek while descending out of the alpine.
Oct 7, 2016 near Whitepine, CO
Moto whoops on lower Canyon Creek trail
Aug 16, 2016 near Salida, CO

3 Comments

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Check-Ins

Sep 15, 2021
Ian Grimes
Super Sick!
Sep 3, 2021
Corey Philip
I really can't believe this loop is so highly rated. The fire road climb is loose rock. Hard to get traction but rideable. Then the final 0.5 mile
Aug 25, 2019
Jessica Urban
Aug 18, 2019
Brandon Haggard
Amazing views! a must for any avid biker seeking a goid time. after dropping in and wrapping around the back side it gets really fast and rocky tow… 19.6mi — 3h 56m
Jul 22, 2019
River Harris
Super rutted out at the bottom due to motorbikes and a few snow crossings at the top. Otherwise good to go — 4h 04m
Sep 18, 2018
Bobbie Whiteside
Yup. It’s all about hiking, biking, views and a great descent. Read the main description and then put on the flat pedals and wear hiking shoes. 19.7mi
Sep 12, 2018
Marc A
19.7mi — 5h 05m
Aug 4, 2018
Kevin James
The climb is never fun, loose even low down on the 4x road. A good descent but hard to love given the climb. 19.7mi

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