Name: Pronghorn Loop
Rating: 4.2

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Closed to bikes January 1 through May 1.

Description

The recently built Pronghorn Loop is a great ride within pedaling distance of the nearby town of Del Norte. The ~8-mile loop is 100% singletrack purpose-built for bikes. The trail wanders through unique rock formations then climbs into high meadows where you can see all the way across the San Luis Valley to the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range. The trail will test beginner's skills while still offering fun terrain and features to entertain more advanced riders.

The suggested direction is clockwise starting at the northeast end of the loop. The east section contours the hillside, navigating through unique rock formations while paralleling the San Fransisco Creek Road. This section is a great area for beginner/intermediate riders to work on technique and handling skills. The west end of the loop is where most of the elevation is gained and lost. Remember to charge your tubes or tires with sealant - cactus is not hard to find on this ride. In the heat of the summer, rattlesnakes are a common sighting.

Contacts

Local Club: Del Norte Trails Organization (DNTO)

Land Manager: BLM Colorado - San Luis Valley Field Office

Shared By:

Raleigh Burt

Full Details

Trail Ratings

4.2 from 50 votes

#1

in Pronghorn Trail System

#242

Overall

4.2 from 50 votes

5 Star		40%
4 Star		46%
3 Star		8%
2 Star		6%
1 Star		0%

Trail Rankings

#1

in Pronghorn Trail System

#96

in Colorado

#242

Overall

18 Views Last Month

5,178 Since Dec 12, 2016

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		55%
		17%
		29%
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Photos

Awesome views aren't hard to come by on the Pronghorn Loop!

Apr 11, 2017 near Del Norte, CO

A nice section of rock gardens along the San Fransisco Creek road.

Apr 11, 2017 near Del Norte, CO

Climbing into the sunset on the Pronghorn Loop.

Apr 11, 2017 near Del Norte, CO

Apr 11, 2017 near Del Norte, CO

Trail has some very creative and well built rock features.

Jul 2, 2018 near Del Norte, CO

Jul 2, 2018 near Del Norte, CO

3 Comments

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 34 days ago

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Check-Ins

Sep 6, 2026

Chris Imbert

Jun 27, 2026

Scott Gutowski

Mar 1, 2026

Nathan King

Rides better counterclockwise or just out and back the trail from the parking lot to the top and back

Jul 9, 2025

Private User

Sep 14, 2024

Chas Semon

Aug 26, 2024

Mitch Schaben

1h 19m

Jun 3, 2024

Sean McKeown

Sep 8, 2023

Clare Shemeta

we did CCL - first mile is super rough & rigorous - mostly intermediate but so sustained. Hot & no shade

Jul 24, 2023

Dried Figs

Man that uphill is brutal. Props to anyone can do it without stopping. 8mi — 3h 00m

Jul 4, 2023

Caleb Monroe

May 19, 2023

Roy Falik

Really well built trail with some fun slab features. Great for beginners to work on some chunk, but nothing that will challenge an advanced rider. 7.7mi — 1h 23m

May 27, 2022

Eric Harrill

7.8mi

Dec 8, 2021

Brian Gilbertson

Very technical, not what I expected. On average a slow trail with only a few fast areas. Lots of fist size rocks all over the trail,

Oct 10, 2021

Dan 60D5H411

With Owen, Eliana, Tina

Jun 20, 2021

David Death

7.9mi — 1h 45m

May 10, 2021

David Death

LOTS of glass at parking lot and entrance, best to walk it 7.6mi — 1h 58m

Sep 7, 2020

Kendall Beggs

Bike broke but still had fun. 7.8mi

Aug 19, 2020

Larry Collins

Did two loops...one CW and the other CCW. 16.2mi — 2h 20m

Aug 17, 2020

A Lee

First time on FS bike, first MTB ride w Kevin 2mi

Jun 11, 2020

JR Martinez

May 5, 2020

Maddie Interdonato

7.8mi — 1h 51m

Mar 22, 2020

Scott Wickberg

dry until a snow storm hit mid ride but should be dry again by now.

Nov 19, 2019

Jon Evraets

Oct 27, 2019

Cara Hubbell

With the Dinos. 8.2mi — 1h 25m

Aug 31, 2019

Datt Mtn

Aug 6, 2019

David Gottschall

Jul 6, 2019

Bret Marx

trails not marked consistently with MTB Project. rated as beg/int but the first 2.5+ miles are expert. middle 1/3 is great. last 1/3 is decent a… 8.7mi

Jun 30, 2019

Dan Hickstein

Jun 19, 2019

Kona Pusher

All clear 8.7mi

May 28, 2019

John Imre

Dry, beautiful. Cacti are flowering as well.

Mar 27, 2019

Jim BUCK

Sep 9, 2018

Edwin Barron

Aug 26, 2018

John Imre

1st ride @ Pronghorn Great local trail

Aug 26, 2018

Drew Durango

Aug 3, 2018

Jordann McCarty

Definitely some blue black spots. Beautiful views 8.7mi

Jul 1, 2018

Matt Koch

Beautiful trail. I didn't see any rattlesnake though the locals seem to think it's a possibility. Punchy climbs, some switchbacks, techy rocks. 8.4mi — 1h 24m

May 26, 2018

Kristian Keane

Sep 24, 2017

Kelly Tribelhorn

Sunday Funday with the pups

Sep 13, 2017

Robert Stubbs

Fun trail. Lots of climbing at first 8mi

Sep 5, 2017

Jen Uurtamo

Well built w nice rocky challenges on the upside (clockwise). Elevation=brutal. I would do this counter clockwise for a longer DH but the $ is STEEP 7.7mi — 1h 18m

Sep 1, 2017

Sue U

Super fun!

Jul 31, 2017

Bryce Engen

Still muddy in spots. Wait til 7/31 pm. Needs sun. Loose rocks. Plz pick up and move off trail. Watch muddy switchbacks.

Jul 28, 2017

Pack o' Vincents

Jul 9, 2017

Matt Hardesty

False summits killed 8mi

Jul 9, 2017

Rod Millott

Jul 3, 2017

Brandon McElroy

Jul 1, 2017

JOHN KNOX

May 21, 2017

Bryce Engen

Excellent condition. If you see big loose rocks on the trail, please kick them off. 8.6mi

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Pronghorn Loop

“An entertaining desert loop with epic views of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range! ”

7.8

12.6

8,656' 2,638 m

8,071' 2,460 m

954' 291 m

900' 274 m

4%

21%

Toolbox

Know This Trail?

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Unknown

Description

Contacts

Shared By:

Trail Ratings

#1

#242

#1

#96

#242

Photos

3 Comments

Comment Type:

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Check-Ins

Nearby Recommended Routes

Stone Quarry Tour

Limekiln Tour

Bishop Rock Loop

Sunshine Kitty - Rock Drops Loop

12 Hours of Penitence

Wolf Creek High Country

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