This 14.88-mile "lollipop" loop has something for everyone. The route <br />
detailed has 3,058 feet of total ascent if you ride to the summit of Jackson <br />
Mountain (a "hill" by Rocky Mountain standards).<br />
<br />
You can choose to bike from Pagosa Springs and add 4.2 miles (one way) to <br />
the route described below - making it a 23-mile ride. The ride from town <br />
starts with an easy, scenic, rural asphalt & gravel road. Once you reach the <br />
Hershey Ranch (where the mileages below begin), you ride on a fairly flat, <br />
dirt, jeep road following the creek that everyone in the family can ride and <br />
enjoy. <br />
<br />
At the end of the road you need to ford Snowball Creek, so it is wise to <br />
wait for spring run offs to slow down before doing this ride. After you cross <br />
Snowball Creek, you are on slightly steeper and rougher jeep roads. <br />
Finally, stepping it up another notch, you climb a fairly demanding single-<br />
track to the summit. <br />
<br />
Ride whichever portion meets your level of interest and ability. The reward <br />
for persevering to the top of Jackson Mountain is one of the sweetest <br />
single-track descents (through aspen groves) in the Pagosa Springs area. <br />
<br />
This ride is a local favorite partly because of its closeness and accessibility, <br />
and partly because of the scenic beauty of the ride.<br />
<br />
<br />
Reset your bike computer/GPS unit at the entrance gate to the <br />
Hershey Ranch.<br />
Ride through the ranch, respecting the private property on both sides <br />
of the road.<br />
At 1 mile, you come to a fork in the road and a metal gate on the right <br />
fork. Go through the gate closing it behind you.<br />
The road drops down and follows Snowball Creek.<br />
At mile 4.3 you ford Snowball Creek and follow a jeep road on the <br />
other side of the creek.<br />
At mile 5.26 you pass a large, old-growth ponderosa on your left. <br />
There is a single-track shortcut here if you want to take it. Otherwise stay <br />
on the jeep road, which is badly deteriorated in places. (Note: This is also <br />
the point of departure for an additional lollipop loop incorporating some <br />
singletrack and a couple doubletrack roads if you are interested in <br />
extending your ride for a couple more miles. The singletrack is difficult to <br />
see at the start. See/download the accompanying map.)<br />
At mile 5.59 (mileage calculated following the jeep road) you come to a <br />
road junction. Turn right onto FR 738 E.<br />
At mile 6.88 you reach the end of the road. Continue straight and pick <br />
up a single tack that loops to the right and climbs the hill.<br />
At mile 7.69 you arrive at the summit of Jackson Mountain. Stop for a <br />
snack, catch your breath and enjoy the view.<br />
The trail follow the top of the ridge for a short ways then loops right <br />
and begins a wonderful descent through the aspens.<br />
At mile 9.03 you intersect FR 738 E that you climbed earlier. Turn left <br />
and retrace your route.<br />
At mile 9.45 you reach the FR 738 E junction you passed through <br />
earlier. Continue to retrace your route back to your vehicle.<br />
At mile 14.88 you arrive back at the gate to the Hershey Ranch (mile <br />
17 if you do the additional loop).<br />
In Pagosa Springs, turn north on N. 2nd Street (by the Forest Service <br /><br />office). 2nd Street becomes Snowball Road. Drive (or ride) 4.2 miles. Park <br /><br />along the road at the entrance to the Hershey Ranch.
http://www.singletracks.com/item.php?c=1&i=4818