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This is a mega ride traversing the southern boundary of the Flat Tops Wilderness.


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Map Key

80.8

Miles

130.0

KM

0%

Singletrack

11,430' 3,484 m

High

5,808' 1,770 m

Low

7,871' 2,399 m

Up

8,295' 2,528 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

24%

Max Grade (14°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

Features Commonly Bikepacked

Overview

The Ute Mountain Bike Trail utilizes parts of the historic Ute Trail from Meeker to Glenwood Springs. The Utes, being a more hunter-gatherer tribe, would commonly traverse between the two locations seasonally, utilizing the wealth of the land in the Flat Tops.

The areas are full of flora and fauna, natural springs, giant aspen groves, and expansive views. Make sure to take in the view off the top of Blair Mountain Road, and enjoy the endless descent on Transfer Trail into Glenwood Springs.

Description

Leave the town of Meeker and ride west on County Road 8, a paved road bordering farm land. Cruise up the Miller Creek drainage on FS East Miller Road #215.1 towards East Miller Trail #2202 and climb beautiful but faint singletrack up to the Bar H-L road.

Once you top out on Miller Creek, you'll be on good gravel roads for a while. Cruise down the Bar H-L road looking for the Fayville OHV Trail #2290 off to your left/north, hop on this fun doubletrack and ride this until it ends at Blair Mountain Road. This next section is probably the highlight of the trip.

Blair Mountain is a flat mountain topping out above 11,000 feet. This is the high point of the ride and the views are looking thousands of feet down into the Flat Tops Wilderness. On the far side of Blair Mountain the descent is steep! Maybe even hike-a-bike terrain down to the Elk Lakes. Stay on Blair Mountain Road and begin traversing towards the town of Carbonate.

Carbonate is an old ghost town with no amenities. Once you reach Carbonate, you'll turn south on Transfer Trail #602. Transfer Trail descends six thousand feet into Glenwood Springs. The first half is flat and rolling terrain, with the potential for huge sheep herds and cattle dogs. Beware!

Once you reach Haypress Lake, you enter darker times and begin to tip off the face of the earth toward Glenwood. Take in the views and let your brakes cool down at Windy Point above No Name Canyon and the greater Glenwood Canyon. Then enjoy the steepest doubletrack around into Glenwood Springs.

History & Background

This trail utilizes some of the historic Ute Trail.

Contacts

Shared By:

Tyler Vaughan

Trail Ratings

  3.0 from 3 votes

#1

in Meeker

#3619

Overall
  3.0 from 3 votes
5 Star
33%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
67%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Meeker

#505

in Colorado

#3,619

Overall
22 Views Last Month
5,039 Since Sep 14, 2018
Difficult Difficult

0%
0%
0%
0%
67%
33%

Photos

Blair Mountain Falls - Flat Tops Wilderness Boundary.
Jul 25, 2017 near Glenwoo…, CO
View from the top
Sep 14, 2018 near New Castle, CO
The Roaring Fork Valley at sunset
Sep 14, 2018 near Glenwoo…, CO
Getting chased by hail, finally pulled out the tent at the last cluster of trees.
Sep 14, 2018 near New Castle, CO
Windy Point
Sep 14, 2018 near Glenwoo…, CO
Elk Lake
Sep 14, 2018 near Glenwoo…, CO
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