Poncha Springs: Ride 38 - US 50 to Chalk Creek
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Well, if you are going to go, go big. After a couple months of recon riding this segment of the Colorado Trail, I feel the best way to access these somewhat remote,
yet very sweet single-track lines is to sweep the whole thing from south to north. You will work a little for it, but the reward is one of the valley’s longest stretches of continuous single-track.
The ride begins with a stiff climb up from US 50 and ends with an insanely steep, technical descent to the Chalk Creek Trailhead. In between is an endless roller
coaster of sometimes smooth/sometimes technical trail through deep stands of aspen and pine. So, pack a lunch, bring plenty of water, and go for it!
Please be aware that this ride is physically strenuous with few bailout points.
There are two additional starting points for this ride. The first, avoiding the strenuous climb up from US 50, starts at the Angel of Shavano Trailhead. To get there: from the intersection of US 285 and US 50 (from US 285 north), drive 6.2 miles west on US 50 to CR 240. Turn right onto CR 240 and drive 3.8 miles to the trailhead.
To start from the Blank’s Cabin Trailhead: from the intersection of US 285 and US 50 (from US 285), drive approximately 2.3 miles west on US 50 to the intersection
with CR 250. Turn right onto CR 250 and drive 4.7 miles on CR 250 to the intersection with CR 252. Bear left, following the sign to the Shavano/Tabeguache trailhead, and drive 2.9 miles to the trailhead parking area. Start the ride on the Shavano/Tabeguache trail; it joins the Colorado Trail in about 0.1 miles.
Riding the final descent to Chalk Creek is strictly for experts. To avoid this section, end the ride at Raspberry Gulch. To leave a car there: drive to the intersection
of CR 270 and US 285 (about 3 miles south of Nathrop). Drive 1.5 miles west on CR 270 to the intersection with CR 272. Drive 2.1 miles west on CR 272 to the
intersection with CR/FSR 274. Drive 0.4 miles northwest on CR/FSR 274 to the intersection with FSR 273. Park on the right side of the intersection. The Colorado
Trail crosses FSR 273 about 0.8 miles southwest (uphill) from this point.
yet very sweet single-track lines is to sweep the whole thing from south to north. You will work a little for it, but the reward is one of the valley’s longest stretches of continuous single-track.
The ride begins with a stiff climb up from US 50 and ends with an insanely steep, technical descent to the Chalk Creek Trailhead. In between is an endless roller
coaster of sometimes smooth/sometimes technical trail through deep stands of aspen and pine. So, pack a lunch, bring plenty of water, and go for it!
Please be aware that this ride is physically strenuous with few bailout points.
There are two additional starting points for this ride. The first, avoiding the strenuous climb up from US 50, starts at the Angel of Shavano Trailhead. To get there: from the intersection of US 285 and US 50 (from US 285 north), drive 6.2 miles west on US 50 to CR 240. Turn right onto CR 240 and drive 3.8 miles to the trailhead.
To start from the Blank’s Cabin Trailhead: from the intersection of US 285 and US 50 (from US 285), drive approximately 2.3 miles west on US 50 to the intersection
with CR 250. Turn right onto CR 250 and drive 4.7 miles on CR 250 to the intersection with CR 252. Bear left, following the sign to the Shavano/Tabeguache trailhead, and drive 2.9 miles to the trailhead parking area. Start the ride on the Shavano/Tabeguache trail; it joins the Colorado Trail in about 0.1 miles.
Riding the final descent to Chalk Creek is strictly for experts. To avoid this section, end the ride at Raspberry Gulch. To leave a car there: drive to the intersection
of CR 270 and US 285 (about 3 miles south of Nathrop). Drive 1.5 miles west on CR 270 to the intersection with CR 272. Drive 2.1 miles west on CR 272 to the
intersection with CR/FSR 274. Drive 0.4 miles northwest on CR/FSR 274 to the intersection with FSR 273. Park on the right side of the intersection. The Colorado
Trail crosses FSR 273 about 0.8 miles southwest (uphill) from this point.
Ride length: 20.1 miles
Ride type: one-way with shuttle
Riding time: 4 hours
Surface: single-track
Elevations: start 8,870’; max 10,160’; min 8,390’; end 8,390’
Total climbing: gain 3,130’ - loss 3,600’ = total -470’
Aerobic level: strenuous (long ride with lots of ups and downs)
Technical level: 4 (steeps with rocks; the final descent is a 5)
Season: June through October
USGS Quadrangles: Maysville, Mount Antero
Ride type: one-way with shuttle
Riding time: 4 hours
Surface: single-track
Elevations: start 8,870’; max 10,160’; min 8,390’; end 8,390’
Total climbing: gain 3,130’ - loss 3,600’ = total -470’
Aerobic level: strenuous (long ride with lots of ups and downs)
Technical level: 4 (steeps with rocks; the final descent is a 5)
Season: June through October
USGS Quadrangles: Maysville, Mount Antero