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A twisty dirt road climb that's a great workout with amazing mountain and river views.


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Map Key

3.4

Miles

5.5

KM

Doubletrack

7,454' 2,272 m

High

5,885' 1,794 m

Low

1,568' 478 m

Up

0' 0 m

Down

9%

Avg Grade (5°)

21%

Max Grade (12°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

Note that the road leads to private property at the top, near the great viewpoint. Since this road is gated at the bottom, private shuttle rides are not possible without appropriate permissions. Please be alert to vehicles using this road, move to the right and ride single file when cars are passing. To avoid parking at the small and crowded Red Mt. Trailhead, riders should access this road via some fun and flat mileage on the Olsen Trail.

Need to Know

This is a private land access dirt road, gated to motor vehicles at the trailhead, but open to public foot and bike traffic. Please be alert and courteous to vehicles using this road. For your safety, move to the right side of the road and ride single file when cars are passing.

Description

This dirt road gets you efficiently, but never too steeply, up above Glenwood Springs to a great viewpoint right next to "The Cross" which can be seen lit up at night time. The paved lower portion turns to dirt just beyond the City of Glenwood Springs' water system facilities. The road is known as the Red Mountain Jeanne Golay Trail, named in honor of the Olympic road race bicycle champion given her training and racing efforts on this dirt road.

Along the way up the road, you'll note numerous singletrack trail segments that meet up with the road. Most riders use this road to access the Grandstaff Trail, either from the top, or at the several 'kissing' points along the roughly adjacent routes. The steeper segments that kiss this road are known as the Cross Trail. While open to bikes, the Cross Trail is a favorite for hikers and runners looking for a steeper workout. The lowest segments of the Cross Trail are steep fall-line trails with some deep ruts and occasional double diamond style difficulty.

The bright orange colored lift towers from the old Red Mountain Ski Area (1938-1966) can still be seen along the road.

Contacts

Shared By:

Mike Pritchard

Trail Ratings

  3.5 from 24 votes

#7955

Overall
  3.5 from 24 votes
5 Star
21%
4 Star
21%
3 Star
46%
2 Star
13%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#784

in Colorado

#7,955

Overall
7 Views Last Month
5,296 Since Jun 5, 2014
Intermediate Intermediate

5%
0%
80%
0%
15%
0%

Photos

Styling out some grade reversal air-time on the upper slopes of Red Mt. on Grandstaff Trail.
Sep 26, 2017 near Glenwoo…, CO
Fresh berm on lower middle Grandstaff Trail, with Roaring Fork River and Mount Sopris in the distance.
Sep 26, 2017 near Glenwoo…, CO
Mount Sopris in the back
Jul 14, 2019 near Glenwoo…, CO
Looking out over Glenwood Springs, Mount Sopris in the distance on the right.
Oct 20, 2018 near Glenwoo…, CO
Grandstaff Flow.
Aug 11, 2021 near Glenwoo…, CO
View of the Roaring Fork Valley from Red Mountain Jeanne Golay Trail.
Jun 1, 2017 near Glenwoo…, CO

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