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Not-to-be-missed Salida singletrack that's fun, challenging and has amazing views of multiple 14ers.


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Map Key

3.1

Miles

5.0

KM

Singletrack

7,714' 2,351 m

High

7,560' 2,304 m

Low

362' 110 m

Up

297' 91 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

15%

Max Grade (8°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

Description

Many people ride North Backbone as an out and back from south to north and back. The first third of the trail is rolling contour across dry, open rocky hillsides with a few pockets of pinion and pine.

From there the trail descends towards a drainage and transitions from hard packed trail to firm sand and then pink granite boulders and slabs. Through this middle section of the route expect to be challenged. To add to the fun, the trail has some quick and steep transitions. It's all rideable but not necessarily all at once.

The last part of North Backbone mellows back out to contouring singletrack that twists and turns to Ute Trail (Road 175).

Contacts

Shared By:

Leslie Kehmeier with improvements by Marcel S

Trail Ratings

  4.4 from 21 votes

#908

Overall
  4.4 from 21 votes
5 Star
57%
4 Star
29%
3 Star
10%
2 Star
5%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#244

in Colorado

#908

Overall
10 Views Last Month
5,655 Since Mar 30, 2014
Difficult Difficult

0%
0%
0%
5%
95%
0%

Photos

Sunset on North Backbone.
Nov 1, 2016 near Salida, CO
The sun begins to set on an evening snow ride on North Backbone in the Arkansas Hills Trail System, Salida, CO.
Jan 27, 2017 near Salida, CO
Get out and fat bike on North Backbone!
Jan 27, 2017 near Salida, CO
Plenty of pink granite around you and under the wheels on North Backbone.
Mar 31, 2014 near Salida, CO
Spring ride on North Backbone.
May 1, 2016 near Salida, CO
Descending Rusty Lung
Apr 15, 2024 near Salida, CO

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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 9 days ago
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Jul 26, 2021
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Apr 7, 2021
Olivier Blasi
Oct 4, 2020
Sue U.
Jul 6, 2019
Curtis Gallagher
Apr 15, 2018
reuben bel
Jul 27, 2017
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Jul 23, 2017
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May 28, 2017
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