Lower Sopris Divide

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Features Flow · Views

This is a nice trail for a quick morning or afternoon ride: a climb (a nice work out), views, and a fast descent all on singletrack through dense scrub oak with mountain views. The indicated mileage is for the entire lollipop, in full it is about a 6-mile ride when returning back to the trailhead.

The loop part can be ridden in either direction, but counter-clockwise is likely a steeper climb. Wear pants or leg armor to keep your legs from getting really scratched up - the stem part of the trail is a narrow tunnel through stiff brush. This trail is mostly fast and flowy... there are not too many technical sections to negotiate. The trail maybe a little bit loose when very dry.

In mid-September the scrub oaks turn a pretty orange (only for a short time) that rivals the aspens that turn yellow elsewhere in the Roaring Fork Valley.

To get there: take Hwy 82. Turn south onto Emma Rd. Immediately turn left onto Sopris Creek Rd. Turn right onto West Sopris Creek Rd at the T intersection. Drive across the first cattle guard (1.85 miles from the T intersection) and immediately turn left onto a dirt road. Take the dirt road uphill to the first switchback (0.3 miles). Park on the side of the road. The trail starts on the outside of the switchback. Also, it is an easy ride from old town Basalt to the trailhead.