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Aspen

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Overview

Aspen is an old silver mining town located on the Roaring Fork River, halfway between its source, 40 miles upvalley at Independence Pass (12,095 ft.), and its confluence with the Colorado River, downstream in Glenwood Springs.

Nearer to town the local trail network is continually improving. Increased connectivity keeps you off the roads as much as possible and improved signage, information kiosks, and trailhead parking make everything visitor friendly. A new network of trails in Skyline Park can be looped for miles and offers an alternate way to connect Snowmass and Aspen. Additionally, Snowmass ski area has been aggressively developing their on-mountain trail network for runners, hikers and bikers alike.

Provided by: Ted Mahon. Check out StuckintheRockies.com to follow Ted's adventures in the Elk Mountains and beyond.

Visiting Tips

The snowfall that qualifies Aspen and Snowmass as desirable ski destinations during the winter months effectively shut down much of the trail network for riding during that time of year. Through the dark days of winter there are some paved bike paths that are clear, but much of the singletrack and jeep roads are packed with snow. The trails are all still accessible and open, but only a handful of the summer trails see visitors in numbers enough to keep the snow packed adequately for riding. The trails closest to downtown Aspen or Snowmass are the best options this time of year. Trails further away would be better served by either snowshoes or skis. It's quite popular to uphill hike/run/snowshoe the four area ski mountains on the packed groomed surface, and download on chairlift or gondola. The rules vary on each mountain so be sure to check in advance about suggested routes and allowable times.

In April, some of the lower elevation trails or those on sunny, southern aspects begin to melt out. Winter snowpack levels and springtime temperatures factor into when the trails dry out for riding to a point, but in general terms, it isn't until early June that many of the popular trails near Aspen are clear of snow. The remote Wilderness trails at higher elevations take even longer.

Camping & Lodging

Hotels and lodging can be pricey in Aspen, but there are exceptions. The St. Moritz is a few blocks from downtown and offers private and shared rooms for very reasonable rates. Other hotels that might be within reach cost-wise for most visitors would be the Tyrollean Lodge, the Limelight Hotel, or the Molly Gibson Lodge. If you want more options, contact Aspen Central Reservations or visit online (www.stayaspensnowmass.com), where a searchable database of hotel and residential rental information can be found.

There are several USFS campsites near town as well, three along Highway 82 on the way up Independence Pass (Difficult, Weller, Lost Man), and three on the road up to the Maroon Bells, just past the entrance gate (Silver Bar, Silver Bell, and Silver Queen). Call the Aspen Ranger District Office for more information. The sites are usually quite busy and some advanced planning is often required to reserve a spot.

Food & Drink

Aspen has more restaurants than a town of it's size should be able to support. As one would expect, there are numerous high-priced options but for the rest of us who are simply looking for a good place to eat or drink after a long day on the trails, consider The J-Bar at the Hotel Jerome, The Red Onion, Hops Culture, 520 Grill, or NY Pizza. You might also just walk through the few blocks that make up the downtown core and see what else looks good. Higher end restaurants offer bar menus that are more reasonably priced. Aspen Brewery doesn't serve food but is centrally located downtown with a sunny patio and is a perfect post run spot for a beer.

If you're looking for breakfast/coffee, try Jour de Fete next to City Market, Cafe Ink, Peach's Cafe, Poppycock's, or the Hickory House out on Main Street.

Other Activities

Rest day? Bad weather? There's plenty do in and around Aspen-

Aspen Mountain Gondola- aspensnowmass.com/ - take a ride to the top of Aspen Mountain for lunch, or to meet others who may be running or hiking up.
ACES - Aspen Center for Environmental Studies - aspennature.org/
Wheeler Opera House - wheeleroperahouse.com/
Aspen Music Festival - aspenmusicfestival.com/

Recommended Routes in Aspen - 10

MTB Project is built by riders like you. Add Your Recommended Routes

Favorite Topping out after the steep climb from Van Horn Park on the Hobbit Trail!
Difficult Difficult

Smuggler-Hunter-VanHorn-Hobbit-Secret-Sunnyside Loop Ride

18.6 mi 29.9 km 3,015' Up 918.94 m Up 3,057' Down 931.7 m Down

Aspen, CO
Explore in 3D
Favorite Feeling the Flow on Deadline
Intermediate Intermediate

Sky Mountain Park Loop

18.4 mi 29.7 km 1,948' Up 593.75 m Up 1,948' Down 593.77 m Down

Aspen, CO
Explore in 3D
Favorite Riding uphill on Lincoln Creek Rd.
Intermediate Intermediate

Lincoln Creek Road to Ruby Ghost Town

22.1 mi 35.6 km 1,934' Up 589.43 m Up 1,935' Down 589.65 m Down

Aspen, CO
Explore in 3D
Favorite Power of Four Race - Morning on the sublime Government Trail
Difficult Difficult

Aspen Snowmass Mega Loop

59.9 mi 96.4 km 8,190' Up 2496.28 m Up 8,199' Down 2499.08 m Down

Aspen, CO
Explore in 3D
Favorite Hummingbird Trail, looking downvalley in the Hunter Creek valley.
Difficult Difficult

Aspen FIFTY - 50K Course

30.6 mi 49.2 km 3,101' Up 945.21 m Up 3,027' Down 922.5 m Down

Aspen, CO
Explore in 3D
Favorite View of Hunter Creek from the bridge.
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

Smuggler Hunter Creek loop ride

9.6 mi 15.5 km 1,642' Up 500.49 m Up 1,660' Down 505.86 m Down

Aspen, CO
Explore in 3D
Favorite Power of Four Race - Morning on the sublime Government Trail
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

Aspen FIFTY - 2019 Course

47.9 mi 77.1 km 5,332' Up 1625.33 m Up 5,340' Down 1627.68 m Down

Aspen, CO
Explore in 3D
Favorite Power of Four Race - Morning on the sublime Government Trail
Difficult Difficult

Buttermilk Bowls Loop

8.8 mi 14.1 km 2,147' Up 654.5 m Up 2,144' Down 653.34 m Down

Aspen, CO
Explore in 3D
Favorite Up and over Star Pass on the EMGT!
Difficult Difficult

Grand Traverse Mountain Bike Course

41.6 mi 67.0 km 7,553' Up 2302.13 m Up 6,161' Down 1877.84 m Down

Aspen, CO
Explore in 3D
Favorite From Tiehack Bridge, Maroon Creek trail is hidden in the trees to the left of the Creek.  MC trail ends after a short climb just beyond the Highway 82 bridge in the distance.
Intermediate Intermediate

Aspen Fat Bike Loop

6.1 mi 9.8 km 430' Up 131.04 m Up 366' Down 111.56 m Down

Aspen, CO
Explore in 3D

Aspen Biking

  • 250 Miles 403 Kilometers of Trail
  • 10 Recommended Routes
  • 21 Easy Trails Easy Trails
  • 46 Intermediate Trails Intermediate Trails
  • 34 Difficult Trails Difficult Trails
MTB Project is built by riders like you. Share what you know about this area!

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Trails in Aspen - 91

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2.1 mi 3.3 km #1Airline Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
Snowmass Village, CO
Intermediate Intermediate
Snowmass Village, CO 30 
5.7 mi 9.2 km #2Sunnyside Trail
Difficult Difficult
Aspen, CO
Difficult Difficult
Aspen, CO 16 
2.6 mi 4.2 km #3Shadyside Trail
Difficult Difficult
Aspen, CO
Difficult Difficult
Aspen, CO
1.2 mi 1.9 km #4East Rim Trail
Difficult Difficult
Aspen, CO
Difficult Difficult
Aspen, CO
3.9 mi 6.3 km #5Scotty's Trail
Very Difficult Very Difficult
Aspen, CO
Very Difficult Very Difficult
Aspen, CO
2.3 mi 3.7 km #6Skyline Ridge Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
Snowmass Village, CO
Intermediate Intermediate
Snowmass Village, CO 21 
1.6 mi 2.6 km #7Hobbit Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
Aspen, CO
Intermediate Intermediate
Aspen, CO
43.5 mi 70.1 km #8Rio Grande Trail
Easy Easy
Aspen, CO
Easy Easy
Aspen, CO
2.2 mi 3.6 km #9Incline Trail
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
Snowmass Village, CO
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
Snowmass Village, CO
5.3 mi 8.6 km #10Hannon Creek
Difficult Difficult
Aspen, CO
Difficult Difficult
Aspen, CO 18 

Photos of Aspen - 192

MTB Project is built by riders like you. Add Your Photos

Power of Four Race - Morning on the sublime Government Trail
Jun 26, 2015 near Aspen, CO
Local 7 year old learning downhill.
Aug 6, 2015 near Snowmas…, CO
Hummingbird Trail, looking downvalley in the Hunter Creek valley.
Oct 7, 2015 near Aspen, CO
Riding through a giant aspen forest... in Aspen!
Jul 23, 2016 near Aspen, CO
Feeling the Flow on Deadline
Aug 20, 2018 near Snowmas…, CO
rocks and roots will challenge you on a climb of cross mountain trail
Aug 21, 2018 near Snowmas…, CO
amazing climb trail - makes climbing fun
Aug 21, 2018 near Snowmas…, CO
Descending a berm at Aspen Snowmass.
Oct 20, 2018 near Snowmas…, CO

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