MTB Project Logo

A long, sustained climb up the La Plata Canyon road.


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

18.5

Miles

29.8

KM

0%

Singletrack

11,611' 3,539 m

High

8,745' 2,665 m

Low

2,870' 875 m

Up

2,871' 875 m

Down

6%

Avg Grade (3°)

18%

Max Grade (10°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Allowed

Overview

Starting at the second dirt parking lot with the cattle gate, follow the La Plata canyon road up to where the road meets the Colorado trail.

Even though this is a dirt road with no singletrack, there are some nice views along the way, making it worth it!

Description

The ride is very easy and casual for the first four miles until the road goes over Boren Creek, consisting of well maintained and heavily traveled dirt road. There is only about 500 feet of elevation gain these first 4 miles, and the road travels through many beautiful aspen and pine groves along the La Plata river.

After Boren Creek, the road becomes a high clearance 4x4 road and starts getting substantially steeper and rockier. This is the difficult part of the ride, as it gains over 2,000 feet of elevation in the remaining 5 miles.

This ride is very easy to alter and customize to suit your preferences. Since it follows a dirt road, you can drive as far along as you want (until finding an appropriate parking spot) and begin wherever you want. Furthermore, there are many steep jeep roads that branch off the main road and make for very fun and steep rides themselves. Expect a wild and fast descent back to your car.

History & Background

There are several historically relevant sites along the road such as abandoned mines and mills.

Contacts

Shared By:

Patrick Yarbrough with improvements by Greg Heil

Trail Ratings

  3.2 from 9 votes

#7

in Mancos

#3628

Overall
  3.2 from 9 votes
5 Star
0%
4 Star
56%
3 Star
22%
2 Star
11%
1 Star
11%
Recommended Route Rankings

#7

in Mancos

#602

in Colorado

#3,628

Overall
9 Views Last Month
5,223 Since Oct 13, 2013
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

0%
14%
0%
14%
71%
0%

Photos

After getting hit by a random snowstorm.
Oct 13, 2013 near Rico, CO
Nice views of aspen and Silver and Deadwood peaks to the east.
Oct 13, 2013 near Mancos, CO
Cool waterfall along the road.
Oct 13, 2013 near Mancos, CO
View of La Plata Canyon and La Plata River, looking south from the road.
Sep 30, 2021 near Rico, CO
Old, abandoned mining equipment close to the top of the mountain.
Sep 30, 2021 near Rico, CO
Along the road, 124, just north of La Plata City campground.
Sep 30, 2021 near Mancos, CO
loading

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Sep 21, 2021
Glint Gossamer
All they way to the top. Pushed some steep sections near the top. View at the top was worth the effort. 15mi — 3h 30m
Apr 12, 2021
Matt Wolfington
Muddy and snowy. Turned around 3.8mi
May 20, 2018
Kevin Webster
18mi — 4h 15m
Sep 23, 2013
Patrick Yarbrough

Stewarded By

Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.