Name: Raiders Ridge Tech Loop
Rating: 3.6

Conditions

All Clear 79 days ago

Dry History

Getting forecast...

“A great loop in Durango featuring some of Horse Gulch's finest technical singletrack.”

— San Juanderer

Driving Directions GPX File

Dogs Leashed

Features -none-

Overview

This loop is a great way to ride Raiders Ridge without having to do an out and back. The loop takes about two hours and features some great views and technical sections.

Description

There are a few ways to do this loop. Basically, getting on Skyline Trail is the beginning. This trail is a nice climb that takes you up to Raiders Ridge. Follow the techy sandstone singletrack on the Ridge Trail on top of Raiders and look out for fun lines and drops. Eventually you'll see a concrete pad on your left.

Go back 15 feet and turn left on Snake Charmer, then stay on the road until you hit the meadow. Skirt the meadow and and enter the singletrack on your left. It will throw you into town. I usually take the paved bike path up North College to get back to the Skyline Trail, but you can take the Nature Trail up to Squawker. I recommend this trail in the spring and fall because summers are very hot around here.

Contacts

Local Club: Trails 2000

Land Manager: City of Durango, CO - Parks and Recreation

Full Details

Trail Ratings

3.6 from 17 votes

#1

in Horse Gulch / Telegraph Trail System

#1545

Overall

3.6 from 17 votes

5 Star		29%
4 Star		29%
3 Star		29%
2 Star		0%
1 Star		12%

Rankings

#1

in Horse Gulch / Telegrap…

#212

in Colorado

#1,545

Overall

237 Views Last Month

11,850 Since May 13, 2014

Difficult

		7%
		0%
		0%
		7%
		40%
		47%

Add a Photo

Photos

Looking south at Raiders Ridge, fall time, from…

Beginning of descent where Skyline meets Sugar.

First section features lots of slickrock

Sweet view of Durango from the Ridge.

At this point on the trail it is a good idea to…

Dang...another switchback on Skyline Trail

One of many Durango overlooks

Example of a progressive feature. Left or right…

Rolling slickrock overlooking Horse Gulch / Tel…

While there are few distinct steps, the deforme…

One of the smoother sections of sandstone plates

5 Comments

Patrick Yarbrough
Colorado Springs, CO

Patrick Yarbrough Colorado Springs, CO

From about mile 1 to mile 3.2, this route is along a road. Too bad there isn't an alternative route with more trail riding options. May 21, 2014

Flag

Eric Cook
Albuquerque, NM

Eric Cook Albuquerque, NM

Most will have to walk multiple sections, but Raider's and the Charmer are worth it! Jul 1, 2015

Flag

Mark Mastalski

Skyline is a 900 foot climb that is cooler than other trails in the summer. Raider Ridge is extremely challenging and an alternative is to take Sugar down to Horse Gulch Road. Sugar is about 200 yards north of where Skyline connects with Raider Ridge and is about as opposite as you can get. Swoopy, fast, and smooth, it is a good ride both up and down. Oct 27, 2016

Flag

Fred Turk

I would not suggest riding down raider ridge trail. Its going to be way to technical for most people and a lot of hike a bike. Dec 3, 2017

Flag

Frank Beast

Some really fun steep stuff. Aug 16, 2018

Flag

8.9 Miles 14.3 Kilometers 90% Singletrack	1,376' 420 m Ascent -1,360' -415 m Descent
6% Avg Grade (3°) 25% Max Grade (14°)	7,879' 2,401 m High 6,592' 2,009 m Low

Raiders Ridge Tech Loop

8.9 Miles 14.3 Kilometers

90%

1,376' 420 m

-1,360' -415 m

6%

25%

7,879' 2,401 m

6,592' 2,009 m

Shared By San Juanderer

Conditions

“A great loop in Durango featuring some of Horse Gulch's finest technical singletrack.”

Dogs Leashed

Features -none-

Overview

Description

Contacts

You & This Featured Ride

Rate Quality

Rate Difficulty

Share This Ride

Check-Ins

Trail Ratings

#1

#1545

#1

#212

#1,545

Photos

5 Comments

Comment Type:

Nearby Rides

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

MTB Project is supported by

Free Widgets: Showcase MTB trails on your site

Mountain Project

MTB Project

Powder Project

Hiking Project

Trail Run Project

National Park Guide

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

Free Widgets:
Showcase MTB trails on your site