MOUNTAIN BIKING: Dry Fork Trail

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Description

We went down to Durango for the day and it just so happened that the Iron Horse Classic was in
town. We watched a couple of criterium races then headed for the nearest singletrack just
outside town at Dry Fork. There were a couple of horse trailers in the trailhead parking lot, never
a good sign for bikers. Fortunately, one group of horseback riders was coming off the trail as we
geared up and we never saw the other group. The signs at the trailhead warn riders to avoid the
trail when things are wet but we quickly realized by looking at the trail conditions that this
warning is rarely heeded. The tread is hard and bumpy with hoof prints and solidified tire tracks,
relics of muddier times. The climb wasn't too difficult, though we probably went around the loop
in the wrong direction based on the number of riders we saw coming the other way (in our
defense we decided on the counter-clockwise route after viewing the trailhead map and elevation
profile which seemed to indicate that this was the way to go). The scenery was great, lots of wild
flowers and a few nice aspen groves near the top. The return down was great, a little bumpy
with rocks and roots at times. Check it out if you're in the area, the singletrack doesn't
disappoint.

Directions

From Durango, take US 160 West about 3 miles and turn right onto Lightner Creek Road (County <br />Road 207). Go about a mile and turn right onto Dry Fork Road (County Road 208). After about 2 <br />miles, go right at the Y intersection, park at the trailhead on the left after about a mile. Ride up <br />the trail and take the left turn at the first intersection onto Dry Fork trail. When you hit the <br />Colorado Trail, take a right, then a right onto Hoffheins to complete the loop. You'll climb about <br />1200 feet over the 4 or 5 miles to the top.