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


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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 Unknown

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 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 2000 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 beginning wherever you want. Furthmore, 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

Trail Ratings

  3.2 from 9 votes

#2

in Mancos

#3355

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

#2

in Mancos

#479

in Colorado

#3,355

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

0%
0%
0%
17%
83%
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
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Current Trail Conditions

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