Why go now: The temperatures are finally starting to dip just low enough that it doesn’t feel as though you could fry a chicken right there on the trail, and this new route at 10,000 feet — built by the Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Association and a slew of volunteers — is beautiful, with incomparable views of the San Juan Mountains and the Uncompahgre Plateau. Slightly more than 15 miles long, the trail starts out from the end of Flowing Park Reservoir on a gravel road for about a quarter of a mile, then hits about a mile of doubletrack before wending its singletrack way along the edge of the mesa and through stands of aspen and pine and gorgeous meadows the rest of the way as a loop on two trails, Flowing Park and Indian Point. It’s almost impossible to get lost — the only thing to watch for is the return, or you’ll wind up heading down Indian Point instead of looping back, but there are plenty of signs, posts and cairns — and there’s only about 200 feet of elevation gain, so it’s mostly level. Don’t think you won’t get a workout, though, because the constant rocks and roots make for a bumpy ride. Watch for hikers and horseback riders. Also, be sure to take plenty of water, and there are lots of places to stop for a shady snack. To get there, take Interstate 70 to Colorado 65. Turn right onto Lands End Road, and follow for 1.2 miles. Turn left onto County Road 109, and continue 5 miles until you reach Flowing Park Reservoir. Park at the end of the reservoir, and go through the gate; begin biking up the road.
Text and photo by Kyle Wagner
