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The route used for the informal, unsanctioned, Colorado Endurance Series, SBFL event.


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Map Key

105.8

Miles

170.3

KM

50%

Singletrack

10,286' 3,135 m

High

7,043' 2,147 m

Low

11,781' 3,591 m

Up

11,793' 3,594 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

29%

Max Grade (16°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

Overview

Note: This wouldn't be a featured ride for most - it's a crazy mix of roads and trails, and incredibly long and difficult. But it will be helpful for those wanting to pre-ride parts of the course, and interesting for those wanting to see what it's all about.

It's big... it's a challenge... you need a GPS or the MTB Project MTB Project mobile app.

It's the Salida Big Friggin' Loop! It is difficult due to distance, altitude and its 12k' of climbing at altitude. This ride is not for the unprepared.

Need to Know

Plan for food and water... you can stop in Buena Vista to re-provision.

Description

Head west out of Salida past the airport on CR140, turn North on CR250, and stay on it until you come to a Y intersection where CR250 takes the right fork and CR252 takes the left fork. Take CR252, then turn right onto the Colorado Trail segment 14: Highway 50 to Chalk Creek TH and ride it all the way to Cottonwood Creek, west of BV.

Following the Colorado Trail is not challenging, it is very well signed. The only possible confusion: at Chalk Creek youll have to follow CR162 down to the Princeton Hot Springs Resort, then turn left on CR321, then left on CR322, then ride through the Frontier Ranch parking lot and continue on up the jeep road to the CT trailhead. Head north on the CT to where the trail dumps out onto Colorado Highway 306. Follow Hwy. 306 east on into Buena Vista.

Connecting downtown BV to the Midland Bike Trail Out and Back is not difficult. Its on the maps, its well signed, and anyone you run into can give you directions.

One other area that is very difficult to route find on is finding the Futurity Connector. This is essentially bushwhacking through overgrown, primitive trail. You'll find the right turn off of CR186 around 83mi into the ride. Don't miss it! You'll most likely be hike-a-biking as this "trail" is incredibly overgrown. After climbing for a good while, the trail will start to descend. Be on your toes here as this is completely unmaintained and incredibly chunky...

I strongly suggest that you load the GPX tracks into a GPS and follow it, or use the MTB Project MTB Project mobile app. Unless you are VERY familiar with the area or experienced with orienteering, topo maps, and dead reckoning, the long route could be hard to follow without the help of GPS.

History & Background

Raise a glass to Tom Purvis for organizing the event!

Shared By:

Jim Simons

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 1 vote

#2839

Overall
  4.0 from 1 vote
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Recommended Route Rankings

#417

in Colorado

#2,839

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3,692 Since Jun 6, 2014
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Photos

Views from the Colorado Trail
Sep 11, 2015 near Buena V…, CO
Green room on the CT.
Sep 12, 2016 near St. Elmo, CO
Arkansas River colours along the SBFL.
Dec 15, 2014 near Buena V…, CO
Climbing the Colorado Trail above Chalk Creek Canyon.
Jun 7, 2017 near Alpine , CO
"Don't feed the Rocky Mountain Elephant"
Jul 16, 2018 near Buena V…, CO
Great drop with smooth landing that can be ridden small or large.
Oct 28, 2019 near Buena V…, CO
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Bad / Closed 3 days ago
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