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Dirt Roads and Side Trips in ColoradoFor the most part, this website has focused on paved roads that anyone on a street bike would feel comfortable riding. That has left out a lot of good roads that are unpaved but still no problem to ride, and well worth doing so. This page is devoted to those. Part of the impetus for this page comes from Larry Matkovich, who
runs Larry's Custom Cycle in Canon City. Larry has offered to send me information
on “dirty” roads, and he has developed a rating system for them. Here's
what he says: “I’ll be sending info on some dirty roads, as I have
extra time. I will give a rating of 0-5 meaning in good weather with dry conditions.
Most require state tags but some are open to OHV. I will probably not send any
rated 4 or 5, and very few 3.” If you would like to provide information for other roads to add here please do. And if you do send in a road, please rate it as per Larry’s system. Click on the maps and photos below for a larger version. Click again then on the larger images to close them. Shelf Road, Rating 2
Take Raynolds Avenue North from US 50 to Pear. Take Pear one block west to Fields Avenue. Turn North on Fields Avenue (you will stay on this road until Cripple Creek, but the name will change). You will go about 10 miles on the pavement before reaching gravel. There are a few points of interest on both sides of road (also a Colorado DOW shooting range). Also check out Red Canyon Park. After reaching the gravel you are on Shelf Road. This is a one-lane road that is cut into the side of a mountain, (originally a stage coach route) about 300 feet above the valley. There is some good scenery and wildlife viewing. (I have seen bear, mountain lion, deer, elk, and big horn sheep.) Warning: Road maintenance is sparse. In spring the road may flood (one river crossing) and may still be snowpacked in spots until May or June. Mud may be bad. Check locally (Canon City Chamber, 719-275-2331, is located in Wal Mart parking lot, Fremont County Sheriff, 719-275-5555, usually has local road conditions).
Apishapa Pass, Rating 2
From Cuchara take CO 12 South past the ski area to the top of Cuchara Pass. Turn east on the dirt road (USFS 415, but may also have a Huerfano county number). This road changes number several times but if you stay on the main road at all intersections you should arrive in Aguilar. This road passes through some scenic mountain areas just south of the Spanish Peaks Wilderness Area (trail head and parking) and just north of the Spanish Peaks Wildlife Refuge. I have seen deer, elk, small game, fowl, and birds of prey. Eagles and hawks are here but rarely seen! Should also be bobcat, lion, and bear in area. Poisonous reptiles include rattlesnakes and gila monsters (endangered species) and should you wish to stay for a day or two, travel sites like Travel Match can provide you with the best options for accommodation in Colorado. Warning: No winter road maintenance. Road may be impassable due to snow as late as May or June. Fire regulations may be in effect. Call for road conditions: Huerfano
County: Chamber 719.738.1065, Sheriff 719.738.1600 Guanella Pass, Rating 0 (Clear Creek County Road 381, Park County Road 62), Georgetown to Grant – approximately 23 miles. Partially paved and partial gravel, the worst part of this road for a street bike is not the washboard gravel in places but the horrendous potholes in the paved portion close to Georgetown. As of 2008, the road is under considerable reconstruction and presumably when that is completed the road surface will finally be repaired. Currently, however, you should expect delays at spots where only one lane is available for traffic. Beyond the road surface, this is an especially nice road to ride. It goes up from Georgetown through a valley with beaver ponds and at the top the scenery is spectacular. You can park and hike in several directions. There are campgrounds on both sides of the pass, although the ones on the north side are closer to the road. Wildlife is abundant here and you may see mountain goats, bighorn sheep, or at the very least, deer. Because of the road condition there is not as much traffic as on a paved pass. That plus the very close proximity to Denver makes Guanella a particularly nice day ride. Be aware, however, that on the unpaved portions you will either have mud, if it has been wet, or a lot of dust. Do not try to take this road too early in the Spring or too late in the Fall, because you are likely to find snow, possibly mixed with mud, at the top. This is definitely a summer ride. We’ve
been up on this pass a couple times recently and we’ve seen a surprising
number of bikes. Everything from the dual-sports to Harleys. Haven’t seen
any Gold Wings, but if some of the Harley guys on their Road Kings are ready to
take the road you can do it on just about anything. Just be prepared for what
you’re going to encounter. Kebler Pass, Rating 0
Gunnison County Road 12 intersects CO 133 coming down off McClure Pass between Carbondale and Hotchkiss. According to Andy Simons, who sent me these photos, it is a “dirt road but suitable for all bikes (well-graded and packed).” Just to check, I did a web search and found another site where they described this road as “suitable for any vehicles.” Elsewhere, any comments I found said it was fabulous. I finally took this road myself in 2009 and can confirm that it is very passable on any street bike. Click on the photos to enlarge them. Don’t bother clicking on the map; unlike the others on this page it does not enlarge because there's no need. I’ve also added additional Kebler Pass on the Crested Butte page.
Cottonwood Pass, Rating 1The western side of Cottonwood Pass is unpaved, so it belongs in this listing, but I’ve also given it its own page, because there is no reason not to ride it on a street bike. Rather than repeat everything here, I’ll simply direct you to that page. |
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