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A steady climb on reclaimed mining roads.


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5.5

Miles

8.8

KM

Singletrack

9,364' 2,854 m

High

8,090' 2,466 m

Low

1,296' 395 m

Up

22' 7 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

23%

Max Grade (13°)

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Description

Coal Basin Trail takes you through the old Mid Continent coal mining area. The site has undergone extensive reclamation over the last decades. The trail follows old roads, so the platform is wide. After the first mile, however, vegetation has filled in and it is mostly singletrack. There is very little shade on the trail, so it will be hot on summer afternoons.

After leaving the parking lot, you climb steadily for one mile on the wide road. Once you level out just before a large industrial building, the trail veers off to the right.

From here on out, most of the trail will be singletrack down the middle of the wide road bench. Just after the two-mile mark, there is a fork; keep right.

At around six miles, the trail ends and you return the way you came up.

For the most part, the trail is easy riding, but it is all uphill. Beginners that are in good shape shouldn't have a problem. The only difficult sections are three areas where creeks have washed out the drainage. Each has a walk-around to get you to the other side.

Contacts

Shared By:

Eric Gardey with improvements by Mike Pritchard

Trail Ratings

  3.4 from 9 votes

#21886

Overall
  3.4 from 9 votes
5 Star
22%
4 Star
22%
3 Star
44%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
11%
Trail Rankings

#1,893

in Colorado

#21,886

Overall
15 Views Last Month
3,431 Since Sep 28, 2016
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

11%
0%
56%
0%
22%
11%

Photos

You'll get great color in the fall on the Coal Creek Trail.
Sep 28, 2016 near Carbondale, CO
Rider in the distance approaching Lower Mine Shaft jump line, with Dutch 4 pump loop closer to the pond.
Jul 9, 2021 near Carbondale, CO
Descending the techy part of Bear It.
Nov 25, 2025 near Carbondale, CO
Catching air on lower Grin.
Nov 25, 2025 near Carbondale, CO
Starting the descent of Grin, with Bear It to the right. Photo: Lewis Cooper.
Nov 25, 2025 near Carbondale, CO
View into Coal Basin.
Sep 28, 2016 near Carbondale, CO
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 38 days ago
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Check-Ins

Aug 16, 2018
Eric Gardey
6.5mi
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