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Colorado Monkeys

Toshi

butthole powerwashing evangelist
Oct 23, 2001
40,028
8,941
That has probably 4-5x the square footage of my house. And the contents are probably valued the same.
Lot Size: 74.51 Acres
Residence: 22,864 Square Feet
Auto Hangar: 27,411 Square Feet
 

Toshi

butthole powerwashing evangelist
Oct 23, 2001
40,028
8,941

Toshi

butthole powerwashing evangelist
Oct 23, 2001
40,028
8,941

OGRipper

back alley ripper
Feb 3, 2004
10,744
1,255
NORCAL is the hizzle
Hey all. Looks like we're putting together a fairly last-minute trip to CO (leaving in a couple weeks) that will include Durango as our main destination. It's a place I've heard about for pretty much as long as mountain bikes have been around but I've never been. Doing research but figured I'd tap the monkey knowledge for ideas on rides, places to stay, good eats, etc. We'll be in a camper van so curious about camping ideas, but also thinking we'll want a short term, dog- and bike-friendly rental for a few days. I realize it's a pretty open-ended request, but let me have it! Must-rides, over-rated "don't bother" rides, places to seek out, places to avoid, etc. Any help appreciated!
 

6thElement

Schrodinger's Immigrant
Jul 29, 2008
17,411
14,898
Hey all. Looks like we're putting together a fairly last-minute trip to CO (leaving in a couple weeks) that will include Durango as our main destination. It's a place I've heard about for pretty much as long as mountain bikes have been around but I've never been. Doing research but figured I'd tap the monkey knowledge for ideas on rides, places to stay, good eats, etc. We'll be in a camper van so curious about camping ideas, but also thinking we'll want a short term, dog- and bike-friendly rental for a few days. I realize it's a pretty open-ended request, but let me have it! Must-rides, over-rated "don't bother" rides, places to seek out, places to avoid, etc. Any help appreciated!
Several boondocking spots along here, zero cell service and about 50ish minutes from Durango.

What length of rides/amount of climbing at altitude are you looking for?

Wife and I did a great loop from our campspot, but that was 29 miles with 5000ft of vert, with most of it above 10k.
 

rideit

Bob the Builder
Aug 24, 2004
24,884
12,640
In the cleavage of the Tetons
Hey all. Looks like we're putting together a fairly last-minute trip to CO (leaving in a couple weeks) that will include Durango as our main destination. It's a place I've heard about for pretty much as long as mountain bikes have been around but I've never been. Doing research but figured I'd tap the monkey knowledge for ideas on rides, places to stay, good eats, etc. We'll be in a camper van so curious about camping ideas, but also thinking we'll want a short term, dog- and bike-friendly rental for a few days. I realize it's a pretty open-ended request, but let me have it! Must-rides, over-rated "don't bother" rides, places to seek out, places to avoid, etc. Any help appreciated!
The only thing I have is that Phil’s World is fun, but hugely overrated. Most locals I know that live in DGO really only go there when the higher country is weathered out.
 

6thElement

Schrodinger's Immigrant
Jul 29, 2008
17,411
14,898
Out and back from Molas Pass to Engineer Mountain Trail was also a fun ride, 21miles/3300ft.

Lots of the rides there can require shuttling, Hermosa Tours offers some drop off points. @Full Trucker can confirm if that's who we used a couple of weeks ago for Kennebec down to Junction Creek trailhead.
 

rideit

Bob the Builder
Aug 24, 2004
24,884
12,640
In the cleavage of the Tetons
Engineer is great. If you are feeling strong, a butterfly loop is the way. Park at trailhead up on 550. Go up the climb, do engineer trail down to (almost) Purgatory turnoff.
Ride up the road, go back up the climb, and down Coal Creek. Climb back to the car.
IMG_2101.png
 

Full Trucker

Frikkin newb!!!
Feb 26, 2003
11,185
8,888
Exit, CO
Yes, Hermosa tours was the company that shuttled us up to ride Kennebec Pass to Junction Creek on the CT. Cost is $35, it’s a long shuttle up a rough 4WD road so pretty worth it for the 26 mile 1900’ up and 6300’ down ride that you get out of it. The 1000’ climb in the middle is stout AF and nearly killed us, but even so it’s not only one of the best rides in the Durango area but all of Colorado IMNSHO. Honestly I can only think of one person who doesn’t feel strongly that it’s a killer ride. Awesome views, fun trail with varied terrain that's steep and techy enough but also not *too* steep and techy, it feels like an adventure, the list of reasons goes on. Highly recommend.

Coal Bank Pass and Molas Pass area is great as others have said, but again putting rides together here could mean some shuttling or pedaling the road. I love Pass Creek to Engineer Mtn Trail as a quick shuttle, I generally try to hit that when I'm in the area. Friends tell me that Coal Creek trail (the other descent on @rideit's butterfly loop) is better than EMT because it's a bit more fall line, but I haven't ridden it yet. I’ve also done Molas Pass CT to Graysill and it was super good, but it's a pretty big day. Graysill was the real deal from what I recall—steep and technical. You just can’t go wrong in this zone.

The in-town trails aren’t bad either, but if you’re there in August just stay up high. Stop in to Durango Cyclery or 2nd Ave Sports to get more trail beta. DC is punk rock, 2nd Ave is more like post grunge radio alternative–polished, but still pretty dang good.

I've heard some scuttlebutt about a few other trails down there being really good, but honestly I haven't ridden in that part of the state nearly enough to be very helpful.

Hermosa Creek and Phil’s World are two of the most overrated spots/rides I’ve ever done, anywhere. Well except for Dupont State Forest in NC, also very disappointing.

Anarchy Brewing beer is really good, probably the best in DGO, highly recommend. Ska Brewing is good beer, good space, decent food. I don’t know a ton about eats, but 11th Street Station has tasty cocktails, good beer, and a variety of food trucks that serve good vittles. Himalayan Kitchen blew the doors off my mind, I’ve only been once and maybe it was a fluke but it was incredible. Highly recommend.

Any chance you’ll be in town on Sept 7th? If so, go to the Ska Brewing anniversary party. Sure to be a hoot, unless you just can’t stomach ska music or you just hate fun. The Toasters and Save Ferris are playing, I’d love to go but I’m volunteering for a race 125-mile sufferfest here in Salida that my SIL is attempting.
 
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Pneuma

Chimp
Nov 5, 2021
77
61
It’s a monster shuttle, but segment 27 of the Colorado trail starting at Kennebec and ending behind or at Purg is my favorite high country ride. Descend from the CT down stagecoach (west cross).

In town I default to riding in horse gulch. Lots of variety in that system. The new medow trails are the jumpy stuff. Up on raiders ridge is the rocky techy stuff. In the belly is smoother xc stuff.

The dry fork, CT, hoffhein with or without a trek up to high point is a nice loop.

I don’t really like it but I seem to be the minority, shuttle haflin. Or, also up on missionary ridge, descend first fork or red creek. These are much more fun imo. Ridden as a shuttle or suffer up the road as a loop.

Purg has a decent bike park. Telluride has a really great bike park.

I live in the area. The other suggestions above are great, no need to repeat.

Edit: I’m not sure what the hype train is feeding people to have them end up hating on Phil’s but I have a lot of fun there. It’s basically a huge pump track. There is very little vert, and it is in the desert. It’s not very technical but it is very fast.
 
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Jm_

sled dog's bollocks
Jan 14, 2002
20,381
10,852
AK
I have a friend doing the Breck Epic stage rage. Mother of god that's a lot of vert at high altitude way too close together. She'll kill it though, she always does.
 

Full Trucker

Frikkin newb!!!
Feb 26, 2003
11,185
8,888
Exit, CO
It’s a monster shuttle, but segment 27 of the Colorado trail starting at Kennebec and ending behind or at Purg is my favorite high country ride. Descend from the CT down stagecoach (west cross).
Just rode Stagecoach for the first time a couple weeks ago, as a little loop from the Hermosa TH by climbing Hotel Draw road I think? Anycrap, Stagecoach was fun as hell. I believe @6thElement and his missus liked it quite a lot as well... they did segment 26 as a loop by climbing Bolam Pass if I'm not mistaken. And he mentioned that we could have just ridden back to our camp had we gone the other direction at the top of Kennebec. Ha!

I don’t really like it but I seem to be the minority, shuttle haflin.
Everyone I know down that way loves Haflin, I need to ride it.

I live in the area. The other suggestions above are good too.
Might hit you up next time I head that way if you're open to it, and if I remember.

Edit: I’m not sure what the hype train is feeding people to have them end up hating on Phil’s but I have a lot of fun there. It’s basically a huge pump track. There is very little vert, and it is in the desert. It’s not very technical but it is very fast.
I think I'm scarred from the first time I rode it, and rode a big loop that included a bunch of slogging on awkwardly rough XC trails way out from the main parking lot that were kinda no fun. The closer in stuff that's smoother and turny/pumpy is much better and can be pretty fun I'll admit... but I still think it's overrated. I also think Buffalo Creek is overrated even though I always have fun when I ride there.

@Full Trucker , does that ‘one guy’ you referred to happen to live in Salida, and have a name that rhymes with Lyin’ or something like that?
Just a guess.
Nope.
 
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binary visions

The voice of reason
Jun 13, 2002
22,194
1,359
NC
@OGRipper we liked Cream Bean Berry for ice cream and Fired Up Pizzeria when we stayed there a couple years ago.

The area around Engineer Mountain is beautiful - we dragged the Crosstrek a surprising distance down those OHV roads and did some hiking there. I've got some hiking recommendations if you guys decide to leave the bikes at home.

Loved Durango. We'd be considering moving there if it wasn't a thousand miles from a decent airport.

 

Full Trucker

Frikkin newb!!!
Feb 26, 2003
11,185
8,888
Exit, CO
More boondocking spots off Lime Creek Road, which is near Coal Bank Pass. https://maps.app.goo.gl/EdzJVxgmf9YfWSQq6

I’ve also camped somewhere between Durango and Mancos just north of 160, but I’ll be danged if I can remember where exactly.

Also, loads of actual campgrounds in the area if you don’t wanna go the wild camping route. Maybe @Pneuma has more info about where to park your van.

Looking forward to a few posts!
 

rideit

Bob the Builder
Aug 24, 2004
24,884
12,640
In the cleavage of the Tetons
We stayed here in Mancos (pronounced Mank-US) State Park with our camper, and it was excellent. Tons of really shaded campsites, reservoir right there. Did day trips from there to the Mesa Verde Ruins, Phil’s World (met up with a friend who lives near there). Found some fun restaurants in Mancos, cool little town.
IMG_1893.png
 
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Pneuma

Chimp
Nov 5, 2021
77
61
For nicer places to eat, there are only 2 I recommend. El Moro, go there, get the green curry muscles. Eolus is great. You will need a reservation and they are not open on weekends. The more causal places are all great. Some recommendations: For Mexican, Fridas. For Sushi, Pop sushi. For sandwiches, 2nd ave deli. Hattie B’s style chicken sandwich can be had at Famburger.


Might hit you up next time I head that way if you're open to it, and if I remember.
Please do. I agree that buff creek is lame :nope:
 
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Pesqueeb

bicycle in airplane hangar
Feb 2, 2007
42,082
19,489
Riding past the morgue.
@OGRipper we liked Cream Bean Berry for ice cream and Fired Up Pizzeria when we stayed there a couple years ago.

The area around Engineer Mountain is beautiful - we dragged the Crosstrek a surprising distance down those OHV roads and did some hiking there. I've got some hiking recommendations if you guys decide to leave the bikes at home.

Loved Durango. We'd be considering moving there if it wasn't a thousand miles from a decent airport.

UAL and I believe American were both flying mainline aircraft out of DRO last time I was there, just a couple months ago. Not sure how many a day.
 

6thElement

Schrodinger's Immigrant
Jul 29, 2008
17,411
14,898
It’s a monster shuttle, but segment 27 of the Colorado trail starting at Kennebec and ending behind or at Purg is my favorite high country ride. Descend from the CT down stagecoach (west cross).
I would have liked to have fitted that ride in while we were there recently. Not sure I could face the shuttle up to Kennebec two days In a row though after doing Ken to Junction.
 

binary visions

The voice of reason
Jun 13, 2002
22,194
1,359
NC
UAL and I believe American were both flying mainline aircraft out of DRO last time I was there, just a couple months ago. Not sure how many a day.
Hm. We may have to give it a second look. Still eying the 'Springs as well, but we haven't really made any decisions.

It's been 3 years since we were there, but the city size kind of hit the sweet spot for us. Big enough that you could go into a store and not have them look at you sideways for asking if they had, like, artichokes or something. But you could get to the other side of the city without committing to half a day of driving, too.