MTB Project Logo

A locals favorite and a good sampler of S-Mtn singletrack.


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

9.7

Miles

15.6

KM

90%

Singletrack

7,527' 2,294 m

High

7,027' 2,142 m

Low

819' 250 m

Up

818' 249 m

Down

3%

Avg Grade (2°)

15%

Max Grade (9°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Overview

Some of the best S-Mtn singletrack without really losing sight of town.

Description

Start via the F Street parking lot. Ride up Frontside, a sustained climb with a bit of exposure, all the way to the Spiral Drive parking lot. Hop onto Lil Rattler. When it gets to Spiral Drive turn sharp left and continue further on Lil Rattler to the intersection with 173, Rusty Lung and Backbone. Turn right onto Backbone.

Follow it all the way to the intersection with Sand Dunes. Continue straight/right, on Backbone (or, if you're done, turn right down Sand Dunes).

Continuing on Backbone, this trail tends to climb further up into the next canyon, with a couple of technical spots, until it meets with Cottonwood and Sweet Dreams. Turn right onto Sweet Dreams. Climb up the next hill and keep left at the next unmarked intersection (don't go steep & straight up the hill). Continue on Sweet Dreams, which has a couple of tough, albeit short climbs, with some short fun downhills. After the trail tops out, it points downwards right into a number of rock gardens, the most technical sections of this ride.

After some rattling around, the intersection with the Chicken Dinner Trail comes up quick. Turn left onto Chicken Dinner Trail (or continue right on Sweet Dreams for the shortest way back to town - via some technical sections of trail).

Continuing on Chicken Dinner Trail, most of the first quarter is slightly uphill, annoyingly, but then it points downhill, with lots of rollers and bermed turns. Some pedaling will be required, so try to keep the momentum going and ride through the 'flat' spots, it's worth some energy to get the best out of this trail.

At the bottom of Chicken Dinner Trail, turn right onto the doubletrack road. There are a few short climbs before town comes back into view.

Contacts

Shared By:

Marcel S with improvements by N G

Trail Ratings

  4.1 from 29 votes

#724

Overall
  4.1 from 29 votes
5 Star
34%
4 Star
48%
3 Star
14%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
3%
Recommended Route Rankings

#167

in Colorado

#724

Overall
46 Views Last Month
7,226 Since Feb 5, 2019
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

4%
0%
29%
29%
38%
0%

Photos

Frontside trail provides stellar views of the high peaks surrounding Salida.
May 19, 2015 near Salida, CO
The new and improved Burnpile offers fantastic features built to get you airborne!
Jan 30, 2017 near Salida, CO
Finding some air on Chicken Dinner.
Dec 27, 2016 near Salida, CO
Lil Rattler makes an easy and fun connection between Frontside and Backbone trails.
May 19, 2015 near Salida, CO
Fairly typical evening ride on S mountain in Salida
Jun 30, 2016 near Salida, CO
Evening ride in Salida.
Jul 20, 2016 near Salida, CO

0 Comments

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Bad / Closed 3 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.