Gnome Trail- aka Grand Avenue-Barker Pass Connector (15N37)

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Unknown

This trail is a meandering singletrack connector that connects Grand Avenue/Hwy 89 to the base of the Barker Pass Road climb. It's a decommissioned fire road that is open for non-motorized use but has turned back into singletrack nicely. It's a great way to avoid riding on the pavement on the way to Barker Pass. We usually use this trail as part of a larger backcountry ride on Ellis Peak Trail or connecting to General Creek Trail.

There are gorgeous aspens, spring wildflowers, and gnomes! Also a creek for doggies to splash and play. A great place for golden aspens in September, too.

To get there, take Grand Avenue from Highway 89 to the end of the road. There is a small parking area and a Forest Service gate. The singletrack begins at the gate. To see the gnome community, take the left turn approximately 150 yards past the Forest Service gate. The right fork parallels the gnome trail and comes back together. The trail is easily rideable in both directions. The eastern end of the trail is at the base of the Barker Pass Road climb just after the bridge. The trail entrance is obvious and marked with a non-motorized use sign.

About the gnomes and a rad bit of colorful West Shore localism: At the creek crossing stop and take a look to the upstream side. If you look carefully, you'll see a rad/weird/epic collection of gnome figurines along with other animals and characters arranged in funny vignettes. A neighborhood local continually brings new ones, and rearranges the vignettes. Pretty awesome. YOU MAY REARRANGE THE GNOMES, BUT DO NOT REMOVE OR HURT THEM!

We ride this trail regularly as a connector to get to Barker Pass, Ellis Peak, and the other trails west of Barker Pass.