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A beautiful ride that covers a variety of terrain and scenery along the rim of Glenwood Canyon.


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Map Key

19.4

Miles

31.3

KM

45%

Singletrack

7,911' 2,411 m

High

5,724' 1,745 m

Low

2,455' 748 m

Up

2,452' 747 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

23%

Max Grade (13°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Allowed

Overview

One of the best rides in the Glenwood Springs area. Your climbing efforts are rewarded by spectacular views high on the rim of Glenwood Canyon. Looking down from the Forest Hollow Trail, you can see the sliver of the Colorado River and the steep cliff edges below you. The forest here is thick with vegetation, wildflowers and buttery smooth singletrack.

The peace is eventually interrupted by a rip-roaring downhill section that is Boy Scout Trail. You quickly change your mindset as the trail begins to descend in a fast, steep and fairly technical manner. Many switchbacks and some sandy sections make for some hairy but fun moments. Exposure is common on this section so be careful. Also, watch your speed as hikers are abundant on this section.

In the end, you are rewarded with libations galore in the quaint downtown of Glenwood Springs.

Need to Know

You can shuttle this ride by leaving one car near the Boy Scout trailhead and start the ride at bottom of Red Canyon Rd. - CR 115, start of County Road 120, or at BLM trailhead at start of BLM Route 8283. You can also ride the full loop, as shown on the maps here, by using the paved Rio Grand Trail as it swings past the west side of Glenwood Springs to make the connection.

Description

A Western Slope Classic! This ride begins a with moderate three-mile climb up Red Canyon Rd. - CR 115, followed by three miles of moderately steep, but technically easy doubletrack/ATV road on County Road 120, and BLM Route 8283 (nearly 2000 feet of climbing). The singletrack of Forest Hollow Trail begins just a few hundred yards on the left after the climb peaks. The Forest Hollow section is a smooth and flowing trail that meanders through the lush forest of the southern Glenwood Canyon Rim.

Beautiful views, fun tacky singletrack and many wildflowers await. After about six miles, the real fun begins on the Boy Scout Trail descent to Glenwood Springs. At about mile 12 of the ride, you begin to descend into the town of Glenwood on a steep and sandy trail that can be very challenging in spots. There are tight switchbacks, rocky sections and numerous ledges that will get your adrenaline pumping.

Be careful here as this is a popular hiking destination, easily accessed from Glenwood so PLEASE respect other trail users (MOUNTAIN BIKES ALWAYS GIVE THE RIGHT OF WAY). The trail ends in a quaint neighborhood, close to downtown Glenwood. Cold beers and good places to eat await.

Contacts

Shared By:

Mike Pritchard with improvements by Kristen Arendt and 1 other

Trail Ratings

  4.1 from 59 votes

#313

Overall
  4.1 from 59 votes
5 Star
34%
4 Star
46%
3 Star
15%
2 Star
3%
1 Star
2%
Recommended Route Rankings

#94

in Colorado

#313

Overall
24 Views Last Month
18,662 Since Aug 22, 2013
Difficult Difficult

0%
0%
19%
11%
68%
2%

Photos

Cruising on the Forest Hollow Trail above Glenwood Canyon.
Oct 7, 2015 near Glenwoo…, CO
Boy Scout Descent - Glenwood Springs
Jun 11, 2018 near Glenwoo…, CO
The lush forest of Glenwood Canyon
Jun 21, 2013 near Glenwoo…, CO
Glenwood Springs Canyon, I70, CO river
Aug 15, 2018 near Glenwoo…, CO
Wulfsohn Mountain Park trails are located on the gentle slopes above the Glenwood Springs Community Rec. Center and the Glenwood Meadows shopping center.  Photo credit: Two Rivers Trails.
May 7, 2015 near Glenwoo…, CO
Looking back across the ravine at the Boy Scout Trail.
Apr 23, 2017 near Glenwoo…, CO
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

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