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Galena Gulch to Colorado Trail - West Ridge

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 4.6 (113)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Central Rockies
  4. Breckenridge
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“Excellent singletrack riding with a balance of contoured flume riding, climbing and sweet descents! ”

Michael Ahnemann
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Map Key

16.1

Miles

25.8

KM

80%

Singletrack

11,153' 3,399 m

High

9,411' 2,869 m

Low

2,087' 636 m

Up

2,091' 637 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

20%

Max Grade (11°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Unknown

Overview

Easily accessed from the Dredge parking lot, the Galena Ditch Trail provides a great start to this singletrack adventure and minimizes road riding to the Colorado Trail (CT). A steady climb up the CT peaks with full views of the 10 mile range and gives way to a ripping descent!

Description

Cross Tiger Road from the Dredge parking lot and ride up dirt Summit Gulch Road approximately one mile passing the more primitive Galena Gulch Road on the right, then a home and another drive on the right. You'll pass several confusing Private Property signs. Rest assured that you have every right to be here.

At a timber chicane on the left of the road, begin the Galena Ditch Trail. Contour along the historic flume for several miles. Crossing Rock Island Road and Rock Island Trail enroute to Georgia Pass Rd.

You ride along the top of the retaining bank (not in the ditch bottom), mostly along sharp mining rocks, and some packed dirt. Although dead level, there are steep slopes on both sides on the skinny trail, and a couple places require decent balance, so it's not really a beginner trail.

Go left and northeast on Georgia Pass Rd (South Fork Swan Road) back to Tiger Road. Turn left and descend to CR 354 after 1/2 mile. Here, you'll find yourself at an open spot along the Swan River. If you've brought a water filter, this is a great place to use it. Otherwise, it's a nice place to eat a snack and cool off. You'll want to catch your breath here, because the next 3.5 miles bring a big uphill grind with over 1000' of climbing. This section gets quite a bit of sun, and it's granny gear climbing in spots, making this a real grunt.

Turn right up CR 354 for just less than 1 mile to the Colorado Trail. Climb steadily for a good 45 minutes to an hour to "West Ridge". The climb levels off before passing a junction on the right leading down to Keystone Gulch Road ( West Ridge Loop - South Connector ). After a bit of descending and contouring climbing, there is a second junction to Keystone Gulch Road.

The next descent is beautiful riding - less technical than the first descent, and flowy enough to let it rip. It's good enough to restore your energy, which is good because you're not done yet.

Much of the rest of the trail trends downhill; however, after passing a final junction on the right with Red Trail, there is a short and sharp climb which you can see on the elevation profile below.

Keep an eye on the MTB Project mobile app for this one, because it's possible to get yourself headed in the wrong direction.

At the bottom of the descent there is a four-way intersection with the Horseshoe Gulch Trail. Take a left and head back to the Dredge Parking Lot and trailhead.

History & Background

In the early 1900's, water was diverted through Galena Ditch to be used by Stanley Revette's mines. 100 years later, it makes a pretty cool bike ride!

Contacts

Local Club: Summit County Mountain Bike Alliance

Land Manager: USFS - Dillon Ranger District, White River NF

Shared By:

Michael Ahnemann
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.6 from 113 votes

#1

in Breckenridge

#70

Overall
  4.6 from 113 votes
5 Star
65%
4 Star
29%
3 Star
4%
2 Star
1%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Breckenridge

#20

in Colorado

#70

Overall
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39,062 Since Oct 1, 2013
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
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Photos

A pedaler and her pooches soak up the last rays of summer on the Colorado Trail.
Jan 27, 2017 near Keystone, CO
Cruise the Red Trail as part of the Keystone Gulch to Soda Creek Loop.
Mar 5, 2017 near Keystone, CO
July wildflowers looking good!
Jul 2, 2014 near Keystone, CO
Waited for mom to finish the classic West Ridge Downhill
Sep 12, 2017 near Keystone, CO
Finishing the hot southern exposed steeps with Mt Guyot looming behind
Jul 1, 2016 near Keystone, CO
Breck's flowiest descent makes the climb to the top worth it.
Jan 16, 2020 near Keystone, CO

12 Comments

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Check-Ins

Oct 7, 2023
Jessica McCarty-Forrest
Sep 21, 2023
Todd Davis
Aug 22, 2023
Patrick Burns
This has incredible high speed sections, amazing corners. Unfortunate climb midway down, but worth it. Climb is Brutal. Ditch is fun.
Aug 12, 2023
Peter Byrne
Aug 6, 2023
Nick Wilder
Jul 14, 2023
Jennifer F
Oct 15, 2022
Kearse George
Oct 10, 2022
Derek Schad
16.1mi — 2h 10m

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