CT - Segment 14: Highway 50 to Chalk Creek TH

Note: This trail is mapped from North to South direction, in alignment with the rest of the Colorado trail segments. However, the trail description below outlines the ride from South to North, which is generally the preferred direction to bike.

Start at Highway 50 west of Salida where the Colorado Trail crosses the road. Follow Colorado Trail signs the entire way to the Chalk Creek trailhead on Chalk Creek Dr. west of Nathrop.

This ride includes some ripping fast descents as well as a handful of short hike-a-bike sections. There is one slightly ambiguous fork in the trail a little past halfway in, near Browns Creek - the options are to go uphill & to the left, or downhill & to the right. The correct choice to stay on the CT is uphill to the left. Verify this by looking for the CT symbol alongside the trail before continuing.

Could also be ridden in the north-south direction, but south-north makes for the most manageable climbs and enjoyable descents.