Name: Sand Dunes
Rating: 4.0

“Technical up top and sandy down below; Sand Dunes is a full tour of the Arkansas Hills.”

— Leslie Kehmeier

GPX File — Driving Directions

Overview

Dogs: Unknown, please tell us

Description

Sand Dunes starts high up on Rd 173 and begins with a challenging descent. It's not quite as difficult as Uncle Natzy but still includes a few moves with serious consequences.

The trail then transitions to following the drainage, sometimes riding directly in it. Below Backbone the route is pretty sandy interrupted by some quick moves over rock climbs.

The end of Sand Dunes rolls out to intersect with Frontside.

Contacts

Local Club: Salida Mountain Trails

Jun 6, 2017: ShinDig Volunteer Trail Work Day – Saturday, June 10 – 9:00am

May 15, 2017: Membership Party on Saturday, May 20 – Biggest Annual SMT Fundraiser!!

May 8, 2017: Next ShinDig Is this Saturday, May 13!

Land Manager: BLM Colorado - Royal Gorge Field Office

Rate Trail

Clear

4.0 from 8 votes

Your To-Do List

Your Difficulty Rating

Get On-Trail Navigation

Send to Phone

Your Check-Ins

Check-Ins

May 14, 2017

Lauren Burket

Oct 29, 2016

Connor Schmitt

0.7mi

Oct 28, 2016

Connor Schmitt

The final walk back. All phones died which was scary but came back on 0.7mi

Aug 28, 2015

Ryan Suess

Jul 24, 2015

Mike Gentile

Jun 7, 2015

Brian Vanderpool

Going up was a bad choice 1.4mi

Feb 6, 2015

Nyles Strey

Stewarded By

Full Details

Trail Ratings

4.0 from 8 votes

#7

in Arkansas Hills Trail System

#3059

Overall

4.0 from 8 votes

5 Star		38%
4 Star		25%
3 Star		38%
2 Star		0%
1 Star		0%

Rankings

#7

in Arkansas Hills Trail S...

#279

in Colorado

#3,059

Overall

87 Views Last Month

1,254 Since Mar 30, 2014

Difficult

		0%
		0%
		0%
		14%
		86%
		0%

Conditions

All Clear 53 days ago

Dry

Update Conditions — History

Getting forecast...

Add a Photo

Photos

Lil Rattler makes an easy and fun connection between Frontside and Backbone trails.

Evening ride in Salida.

A rider stands through an upper section of Sand Dunes with dog in tow.

Mid winter ride on Backbone trail, S mountain, Salida.

On Tenderfoot.

Taking on Little Rattler.

Lower Sand Dunes on South Mtn in Salida in the fall - with a snow storm in the background on the Monarch Crest.

0 Comments

Thanks for the comment

Slow down, you've reached your posting limit

Nearby Rides

Hwy 285/Mears Junction -...

Salida, CO

31.8 mi 51.2 km

Rainbow Trail #1336: Hay...

Salida, CO

18.0 mi 28.9 km

CDT Alpine Tunnel

St. Elmo, CO

MTB Project is part of the REI Co-op family,
where a life outdoors is a life well lived.

Shop REI Mountain Bike

MTB Project is supported by

Support Your Local IMBA Chapter

1.4 Miles 2.2 Kilometers Singletrack	0' 0 m Ascent -733' -223 m Descent
7,823' 2,384 m High 7,090' 2,161 m Low	10% Avg Grade (6°) 20% Max Grade (11°)
All Clear 53 days ago — Update

Sand Dunes

1.4 Miles 2.2 Kilometers

Singletrack

0' 0 m

-733' -223 m

7,823' 2,384 m

7,090' 2,161 m

10%

20%

All Clear

“Technical up top and sandy down below; Sand Dunes is a full tour of the Arkansas Hills.”