MOUNTAIN BIKING: Gold Dust Trail

Single Tracks →

Description

The first half of the loop is on dirt roads and the return is singletrack. Head out of town on the road to Boreas Pass. Turn right just after Robert's Cabin (you'll see it) to stay on Boreas Pass Road. After a few mroe miles, look for the sign to Selkirk Campground and follow the dirt road back to the valley floor. At the bottom, follow 801 past the entrance to Selkirk CG for a couple more miles and look for a fairly inconspicuous forest service sign marking the trail on your left. Beware, the Trails Illustrated map shows the trail ass 653, but the FS marker says 698, so don't get confused. There's also a marker and an old doubletrack on your right. If you get to a fork in the road, you've gone about 0.3 mi too far. After turning left on to the trail, get ready for some high quality singletrack through a very unspoiled forest. During the first leg, the trail has worn a groove in the countryside and you can really crank on the bermed turns. A few more miles and you'll cross county road 50 amid some private property. Just cross the road and continue on the singletrack. There's some killer views in this valley followed by a tough, but brief climb. The trail then becomes soft pine-needle bed, then has a rocky section that will force most off their bikes once or twice, then a rooty descent back to a doubletrack. Less than a quarter mile into the DT, look for the ST veering off to the right again--don't miss this as this is some particularly sweet singletrack. About a half mile later, the trail will dump you onto a dirt road--take a right and cruise back into Como. The dirt road climb has great views, beautiful aspens and fragrant wildflowers, but if you object to riding the road for 9 miles, the ST is doable as an out and back.

Directions

Head NE from Fairplay on 285 for 9 miles and turn left at the sign for Como. Park anywhere in town and begin the ride.

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