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Pagosa Springs Colorado
Mountain
Biking Trails in the Pagosa Area
 All
ages of visitors and locals enjoy mountain biking in the
Pagosa area. There are many scenic trails in the area, and they
vary in difficulty. Here's a quick look at some of the most popular
mountain biking trails:
Willow Draw
Class: Intermediate
Length: 16 miles (25.76 km)
Willow Draw is a scenic loop from the junction of US 160 and 84.
Road conditions range from highway to double-track. From Downtown
Pagosa, ride east on Highway 160 to the junction of 84. Turn right
on 84 and take the first left onto Mill Creek Road, and continue
for four miles. You will cross three cattle guards. Immediately
after the third cattle guard, look for a double track dirt road
on your left. If you cross the bridge over Mill Creek you have gone
too far. Once on the double track, you will immediately cross Mill
Creek, which may need to be forged on foot in the spring. Follow
this dirt road generally north for the next 6 miles through Willow
Draw and Dry Gulch to Fawn Gulch. Pass through two gates which are
usually closed. (Be sure to leave the gates as you find them.) When
you leave Fawn Gulch Road, turn left to a fast downhill back to
Pagosa. Turn left on 160 and you'll be in Pagosa in four miles.
 East
Fork
Class: Beginner
Length: 8 miles (12.88 km)
This trek is from the beginning of East Fork access road (10 miles
east of Pagosa on Highway 160), to Silver Falls guard station. It's
a easy route for beginners -- itÕs fairly flat. The road
follows the East Fork of the San Juan river through beautiful canyons
into the pristine East Fork Valley, (private property for two miles)
before terminating at the Silver Falls guard station. Silver Falls
can be seen cascading down the mountainside directly behind the
guard station. The road is gravel from 160 to the forest boundary,
(.25 mile) and the rest is dirt, which can be very slick when wet.
Watch for high water across the road in the springtime.
Piedra Falls
Class: Beginner/Intermediate
Length: 10 miles (16.10 km)
From Sportsman Supply on Piedra Road to the East Fork of the Piedra
River near Piedra Falls, this route goes through dense stands of
timber. The first three miles are on a gravel road, and the rest
is dirt. (Watch out! The dirt can be slick when wet.) You'll enjoy
riding along the middle fork of the Piedra river. It's fairly flat
with a few slight uphill grades.
Eightmile Mesa
Class: Intermediate
Length: 4.5 miles (7.25 km)
This trail leads from Highway 84 to the Eightmile fire lookout tower.
It's a dirt road that climbs steadily for the first 3.5 miles, and
the remaining distance levels out. The area provides views of low
Ponderosa Pines combined with large stands of Gambel oak that put
on a spectacular color display in the fall. USE CAUTION: when leaving,
it is all downhill, and you will have a fast time coming out. This
is a one lane road, so be aware of other vehicles travelling on
the same road. There are no turnouts.
 Turkey
Springs
Class: Beginner
Length: 7 miles (11.27 km)
This is an easy ride close to town. Drive north on Piedra Road about
8 miles from Highway 160. You will pass a cattle guard, then turn
left on Forest Road 629 (Turkey Springs Road). Proceed on 629 to
the Y at Newt Jack Road and park your vehicle. Begin your ride west
on Turkey Springs Road, about three miles to Brockover Road, where
you'll turn left. Ride about a quarter mile and turn left again
onto an old jeep road. Ride about a mile until you come to another
Y, where you'll bear left (Newt Jack) and ride back to the vehicle
parking area.
Light Plant Road
Class: Beginner
Length: 6 miles (10 km)
You'll enjoy this easy six mile ride, which begins and ends in the
Pagosa Springs Town Park. Only about 2 1/2 miles are on a dirt road.
To begin, go south across the bridge and follow the San Juan river
until the road turns east. Proceed until you reach Highway 84, where
you turn left to return to town. There is a nice view of the continental
divide to your east as you ride. This route has no steep sections
and is good for beginners. Be sure to stay far to the right as you
ride on the highway. Reservoir Hill There are many trails on Reservoir
Hill, which is a 160 acre wooded area accessed from Park Street,
off Hot Springs Blvd. (east across the bridge), from behind the
Post Office and from behind the "everyday" gas station or the San
Juan Motel. Maps are located at each trail head, as well as at the
Chamber of Commerce.
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Pagosa.com and the Pagosa Country Adventure Guide welcome a wide range of opinions and perspectives.
Submissions represent
the views of the author and do not necessarily
reflect the opinions of Pagosa.com
or The Pagosa Country Adventure Guide.
Publisher & Editor: Norm Vance, 970-264-4542
Web Production: Fluid Design, Do Engelhardt, 970-731-2298
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All content ©2005-2006 Norman Vance's Homestead Publishing
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