Rim Trail Loop
Trail
11.0 mile
17.7 kilometer
loop
70% Singletrack
Intermediate
Elevation
Ascent:
1,729'
527 m
Descent: -1,726' -526 m
High: 9,171' 2,795 m
Low: 7,884' 2,403 m
Grade
Avg Grade: 6% (3°)
Max Grade: 24% (14°)
Dogs
Unknown
Weather
Unknown
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“Great singletrack ride with awesome views!”
— Nick WilderElectric Mountain Bikes Unknown
Features -none-
North Rim Trail closed December 1 - May 15 for elk.
Overview
One of the best singletrack rides in the valley. It's a great loop including lots of climbing on the bike path to 7 miles of great singletrack.
Description
Park at the Rodeo Parking lot soon after entering Snowmass Village. This ride is best done clockwise (though either direction is good), so ride up the Brush Creek Bike Path until you are just below the main ski area. It's a good bit of climbing on the bike path system, with several junctions. Keep climbing until you are just below the base of the main ski area.
Cross Brush Creek Road at a point just before the road makes a final, sweeping turn that brings you to the base of the ski area. At this spot, you'll cross Brush Creek Road and take Divide Road 100 yards to the Rim Trail trailhead.
Start off with a 700' vertical climb. The trail is well-built for bikes though, with widely-rounded switchbacks and a very smooth surface, so it's a very enjoyable climb. It's pretty exposed to the southern sun, so it could be quite hot on a warm sunny day.
Once at the top, take a left and go 100 yards to the high point and enjoy the remarkable 360 degree view.
Return those 100 yards, then continue on slightly descending, fast and fun singletrack right along the rim. There are occasional breaks in the trees that are worth stopping for and taking a peek.
More fun descending, sometimes through forest, takes you to a saddle point and a road crossing. This is a bailout option if you're in a hurry or tired. Otherwise, continue on, with some moderate climbing until you get to one final 400' climb.
Like the first climb, the surface is nice and it's well laid out for bikes, and it's over pretty fast. There are more great views from a bench at this high point.
Now it's a pure descent all the way to the car, and it's a blast: singletrack all the way through some aspens, but mostly sage meadows on nicely contoured trail. The views are astounding if you can take your eyes off the trail for a second. It ends all too quickly with a short stretch of a bike path that leads back to the parking lot.
Cross Brush Creek Road at a point just before the road makes a final, sweeping turn that brings you to the base of the ski area. At this spot, you'll cross Brush Creek Road and take Divide Road 100 yards to the Rim Trail trailhead.
Start off with a 700' vertical climb. The trail is well-built for bikes though, with widely-rounded switchbacks and a very smooth surface, so it's a very enjoyable climb. It's pretty exposed to the southern sun, so it could be quite hot on a warm sunny day.
Once at the top, take a left and go 100 yards to the high point and enjoy the remarkable 360 degree view.
Return those 100 yards, then continue on slightly descending, fast and fun singletrack right along the rim. There are occasional breaks in the trees that are worth stopping for and taking a peek.
More fun descending, sometimes through forest, takes you to a saddle point and a road crossing. This is a bailout option if you're in a hurry or tired. Otherwise, continue on, with some moderate climbing until you get to one final 400' climb.
Like the first climb, the surface is nice and it's well laid out for bikes, and it's over pretty fast. There are more great views from a bench at this high point.
Now it's a pure descent all the way to the car, and it's a blast: singletrack all the way through some aspens, but mostly sage meadows on nicely contoured trail. The views are astounding if you can take your eyes off the trail for a second. It ends all too quickly with a short stretch of a bike path that leads back to the parking lot.
Contacts
Local Club: Roaring Fork Mountain Bike Association
May 6, 2020: Red Hill Trails to Close May 18
Land Manager: USFS - White River National Forest Office
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Check-Ins
Oct 1, 2019
Kathy Brown
if you are not yet acclimated or have a lake body part and want to go easy soon yourself take the local blue bus from rodeo parking lot to drop off…
Oct 5, 2017
steve scott
Lot of climbing for some decent but not long downhills. If this is the “featured” ride of SnowMass Im moving on to someplace else
11.9mi
Jul 15, 2017
Amy Moseman
Exposure provides great views, but very hot on a sunny afternoon, not much shade
Jul 6, 2017
Mark Mehlhaff
Minimal obstacles. Good dirt singletrack. Steep climb at beginning and another steep climb in the middle.
Jun 12, 2017
Aaron Hughes
Intermediate due to the fitness level required for the long climb. The trail is super smooth.
Aug 13, 2016
Whitney James
Excellent conditions, but rode at the same time as the Ragnar running race. Oops!
10.5mi
—
2h 05m
Jul 3, 2013
Whitney James
Super fun, gorgeous views, and lottts of dust. Just the way it should be!
10.3mi
6 Comments