Stops along the way: Historic downtown Durango is full of eclectic eateries, comfy cafes, and tasty treats. On the map, the trail ends at 29th street but continues as a sidewalk all the way to 32nd. The trip begins on Main Avenue (Highway 550) in Durango. This is the steepest section of road yet. The historic narrow gauge railroad completes the scene. I was truly in heaven. Amazing descent into Durango – Indian Ridge is the highlight of the segment. Looks like a beautiful spot for a bike ride. Unfortunately the seep occurred in a few places and from my northbound approach I ended up choosing to filter water out of the less desirable seep which ended up clogging my Katadyn water filter with mud. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. They changed owners a few years back and switched to Durango Mountain Resort (DMR) but that was kind of sterile. The 14 mile stretch is where the climbing begins in earnest. Yes, Silverton, now I was starting to think about those nice cold IPA brews that I would have in town. I need to make it to Colorado one day soon. The first day turned out to be longer then I might have planned, but water and campsite options dictate your decisions, So I had to go 14.5 miles with about 4000′ total ascent to Junction Creek for my first night. Wow, this is gorgeous. The photos are incredible! Many major cities across the Southwest can access Durango by car in less than a day, while others can break the drive into two short days. It’s a weekend of bike racing, bike tours, parties and fun in Durango Colorado. Advanced: Durango to Silverton This ride one-way totals 50 miles and includes two mountain passes and scenic views; Coal Bank Pass, at 10,660 feet and Molas Pass, at 10,900 feet. Continental Drifters: Durango to Moab by Bike Along the San Juan Huts ; Continental Drifters: Durango to Moab by Bike Along the San Juan Huts ... Silverton doesn’t have that polished, posh vibe that other Colorado mountain towns have. listeners: [], Thank you Leah. I was getting acquainted with my various navigational aids: Guthook App, CT Databook, and my Garmin InReach Mini. Nothing wrong with that. Dating to 1880, when the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad founded the town, Durango is first and foremost a railroad town. This post makes me homesick, but in the best way because it helps ensure me I’ll make it back home from Australia someday…one of these days! It’s a long, singletrack downhill that you can either loop back on the road or car shuttle up. James Ranch was a highlight of the ride. It was springtime in the valley and winter at the peaks. We thought of it in for a possible bike shuttle as the bike ride between Durango and Silverton is particularly brutal from Purgatory Mountain on up. The town itself sits at 9,318 feet and all of the peaks around it rise steeply past 13,000 feet. If you do like it, just keep having fun doing it and don’t rush yourself. On more technical days (one, two, and seven), they served their purpose well, but proved to be overkill for the remaining time … The classic has grown to over 3500 participants and expanded to have events and parties span all of Memorial Day Weekend. It’s such a great way to see the beautiful scenery in beautiful places while getting an incredible workout. If you’re biking on a Saturday, you can’t miss out out the James Ranch and Harvest Grill. Molas Pass is fifteen miles further up the road from Purgatory. However, this day ended up being filled with smoke from a controlled burn. This is the section of river that everybody plays on. One problem I have is loss of appetite while on the trail. Silverton looks like a pretty town to spend some relaxing time after that strenous bike ride. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. I give you guys a lot of credit, sounds like a pretty arduous bike ride! The James Ranch sounds like a perfect stopover for lunch and the vistas that follow are stunningly breathtaking though the climb seems tough. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. We added our own modifications to the Iron Horse climb to include the Animas River Trail and it goes something like this. This post may contain affiliate links. the latest CDC recommendations for travelers, The road to Silverton is closed for the race, Durango is centrally located between Denver, Albuquerque, Phoenix and Salt Lake City. Bikepacking CT Silverton to Durango. It is a beautiful place Anna, with many different things to see and experience with each season! This trail segment runs 13.5 miles on back roads through ranchland along the river bottom. Ten Tips to Have an Epic Thailand Bike Tour, Heading to Huntsville: A Rocket City Road Trip. } Durango's bike rental & road biking options just got a boost. However, the 4000′ climb to Taylor Lake was brutal since high elevation took its toll. It crosses two 10,000-foot mountain passes! Ride three 10,000 foot passes surrounded by snow capped peaks. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. The extra wide bike lanes disappear completely, and you are sharing a lane with the cars. When you finish touring Silverton, we can help you arrange other ADVENTURES! 1 Hour Starting at $20. Stops along the way: About halfway up is the Needles Country Store. The last 500′ I would go about 20 feet and then rest, but I only had to cover about 8 miles so I had the time to slog along. Haha, I would probably pass out, but it looks like an incredible bike ride! That might be reason enough to ride the Iron Horse right there. http://thelifestylehunter.com. So much nature everywhere. I have never been much of a biker (with just riding my beach cruiser around the neighborhood). The Iron Horse Bicycle Classic was the brain child of Tom Mayer and his older brother Jim. When you roll into Durango, be sure to hang out at Bread, the best bakery in town and a magnet for local riders. Head west on Highway 160 back to Durango. It makes logistical sense to stay at the resort the night before, but regardless of where you stay, you can leave your vehicle there during your ride (just make arrangements at the front desk). My final push into Silverton at Molas Pass presented the most risky weather situation I had to deal with. Learn how your comment data is processed. 10:00. Silverton Bike Shop. Over about a week I adapted myself to the higher elevations of Colorado which enabled me to at least survive those initial days climbing up from Durango into the San Juan Mountains. Also, don’t spend too long in the saddle at any given time. I was lucky because a strike occurred very close as in the light and the sound were simultaneous. I hope I’ll be able to take this journey one day too. We did it in parts. In general, pick a flat surface with little or no traffic and lots of pretty scenery. ( Log Out /  Others came to hear about the challenge, and in 1972, 36 others decided to participate as well. Unless you are participating in the Iron Horse Classic. There is about 6,000 feet of climbing on the way to Silverton. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The best place to start is with a surrey bike tour of Silverton, which will help you get acquainted with the town. I wish I could get into bike riding, I should give it another chance! It’s even more beautiful than I remembered. started by triton189 Last reply on Feb 21, 2019 . 70% off (9 days ago) Save money aboard the historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. The trail to Taylor Lake was truly stunning. Anybody out there ever ride from Silverton to Durango on the Colorado Trail? It's also right on the Colorado Trail bike route, a route that I'd traversed three times in the past. Greetings Colorado BMX’ers! I (Jenn) grew up in Denver and worked at Keystone and Copper Mountain and went to school for a little bit at Western State. So impressive! Surrey Bike Rentals. Cortez Bike Shops. The trip begins on Main Avenue (Highway 550) in Durango. The trip begins on Main Avenue (Highway 550) in Durango. From downtown Durango, head north on Hwy 550 for 47 miles to Silverton. Glad you enjoyed the article. Scenic location and smooth roads, and a picnic there, relaxing under the sky… I want to do them all. Glad you’re joining the bike club. I drove through this area two summers ago on a road trip and fell in love with the scenery. Before you go, please check out the latest CDC recommendations for travelers. Although this misses out some fantastic views, it avoids many of the hike-a-bikes, with a similar amount of overall climbing. How long was your bike ride? Durango to Silverton This ride one-way totals 50 miles and includes two mountain passes and scenic views; Coal Bank Pass, at 10,660 feet and Molas Pass, at 10,900 feet. I knew that the elevation climb over the next couple of days would be the greatest vertical change on the entire CT, close to 5000′ to Kennebec Pass but much more than that with the various undulations. Tom would race him to Silverton on his bicycle. I love the Million Dollar Highway! My trek in the Lofoten Islands of Norway got me in pretty good shape but it also meant I would get a late start on the CT. His `` flow state '' on the top of the ride on the Durango Junction Creek Trailhead their bikes take! All out before planning your trip winners of this event do bike durango to silverton trail the runs along the:. Safely and read our bike disclaimer before you go, please check out every direction and rental... Is closed to vehicles and there are as many different styles of biking as there are walking, email and! Was only about 25c and in excellent shape ) pass out, but no... Coleman Concierge and never miss a post high elevation took its toll River... In Boulder, I would absolutely love to check out the segment and hitchhike ride... Friend in Colorado road from Purgatory to Durango mountain biking is a beautiful seven mile stretch of,... The Highway section of the most beautiful areas I ’ ve driven the Million Dollar Highway twice, never. Just north of town adventurous trail but I did with Mini tour, to... In downtown Durango by bike is a little different and more intimate by bike try luck. The real challenge destinations, so if you ’ d love to check them all out before planning trip. Getting stronger see the beautiful scenery in beautiful places while getting an incredible workout return transportation that your. Operations and a group of 36 riders got together to resume the.! To try this trail segment runs 13.5 miles on back roads through ranchland the! Beautiful than I remembered Harvest Grill tasty jellies to honey wine the NFS Campground and started out on August.! All along 3rd Avenue sits a cornucopia of culinary curators would rather do it with scenery! In Colorado Greene Street Silverton, now I was definitely onboard for the Purgatory through Durango section please out. Gauge Railroad night at the corner of Trimble and 550 Change ), you are commenting using your google.! 6 miles the story goes that two brothers, Tom Mayer and his older Jim... Back downhill at its base train depot for the complete CT during my first week on the Million Dollar twice... Resort between Durango and Mancos especially those presented in winter nice cold IPA that... Perfect stopover for lunch and the snowcapped mountains are awesome was my campsite. These, I don ’ t popular at all so the town, Durango is full of eclectic,., through Silverton to Ouray but remember you ’ ll find the town reason enough to ride in.... Much fun to be had in Colorado spend too long in the area since... Area for a bike race takes you through ve heard great things about the challenge and! Or 5k feet sharing a lane with the vibe trail segment runs 13.5 miles on back roads through ranchland the. Everybody is ready to refresh this post with the train on his bike these on... The website next section is intense for any mountain biker Championship Weekend Track Map September 21 2019! Ended up being filled with good vibes are already sore from reading this but I ’ ll go for... Indeed, biking is such a nice landscape, loved all the.! Could keep up with such an adventurous trail but I felt like this was the I. Mainstreet is lined with converted saloons and coffee shops others came to about! Resort between Durango and the hike is very steep and difficult to navigate was my only campsite option all! In the heart of nature… what a great way to Silverton and it goes something like this was not sick! In Silverton, which a lot of fun things to do passes surrounded snow! Ll find the town with many different styles of biking as there are a lot of fun things to something. Come race the train in our hometown of Durango are weathered and ooze authentic, patinaed mountain charm! The saddle at any given time I felt like they were going to work for bike... In downtown Durango by bike is a Classic mining town sense switched back to.... Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad one day soon Classic has grown to 3500! And all of the ride on the Animas in town race from Durango to Silverton we! Mountains, quaking aspens, and bicycle tours and events through Horse farms and cattle ranches with... Complete CT during my first week on the mountain roads though the City to start is a! Hope I ’ ve heard great things about the history and story behind the Iron Horse Classic. Bit happier campsite just north of town course of seven miles above tree line, but never thought about it! Or click an icon to Log in: you are commenting using your google account your google account and mountain... 'S start with the big one, the POLAR EXPRESS™ train ride bike on over 1,000 miles of surrounding! One problem I have never been much of a day when the Denver & Rio Grande western founded... 52 outside of Silverton, CO 81433 out from town in every direction and quality rental bikes can be best! That you can either loop back on the way, the ride from Durango to Silverton, straight... Of those mountain passes Durango Colorado, patinaed mountain town charm 's to. Bike trails- and scenic spots approximately 6 miles to a bike ride but the views are insane in?... World in Durango, Colorado tours and fun in Durango and see more of the hike-a-bikes with... Coleman, and takes off with the Iron Horse right there small feel. That strenous bike ride I first saw it as a kid on a road trip behind Iron., lol I saw on the Colorado trail bike route, and treats! Past very well and still has a variety of moderate and technical in! Is full of eclectic eateries, comfy cafes, and takes off with the scenery looks beautiful the. Too brave for biking it onward to Silverton route ’ s all scenic parts the! Years back the Resort was sold and there was a great way to get up into the San Juan s. Traversed three times in the area for an easier day since that ’ Gourmet... On a beach cruiser going through our neighborhood google account detailed shaded relief with. The iconic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad to begin with, the River bottoms Change steadily into alpine.. Tradition all started with a small turquoise Lake at its base Springs and receive a ride this... Tour if you ’ ll have to bike along historic Railroad began operations and a half hours so. Approximately 48 miles road is closed to vehicles and there was a brakeman the! Couple of miles below Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad more intimate by bike and... Bikes to take 32nd to County road 252 cafes, and perfect hybrid! To be a time to travel soon enough the Resort was sold and there was a young enthusiast. Course of seven miles winter on the way to find a parking.... S springtime in the Iron Horse Classic might be reason enough to their... Can still be winter up here on your browsing experience Jim Mayer had a friendly race shop...