Poncha Springs: Ride 39 - Marshall Pass to Silver Creek
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This is an ambitious ride with an abundance of everything mountain bikers love: lots of sweet single-track, high elevations, sweeping vistas, and a healthy climb. Before setting out on this one, be sure you have plenty of water, food, some extra clothing layers, and good weather. You will be out for a while, far from your car, and retreat will not be easy or fast.
There are several options for decreasing the intensity of this ride. First, you can use a shuttle to start from Marshall Pass. The next option is to descend FSR 203/Starvation Creek Trail from Marshall Pass. This amazing single-track rivals the Silver Creek Trail and, as some claim, may even be better. See the Monarch Crest section for more info. Finally, you can opt out of the final 9 miles of Rainbow Trail single-track by descending along FSR 201. This option is much easier and faster than the singletrack.
There are several options for decreasing the intensity of this ride. First, you can use a shuttle to start from Marshall Pass. The next option is to descend FSR 203/Starvation Creek Trail from Marshall Pass. This amazing single-track rivals the Silver Creek Trail and, as some claim, may even be better. See the Monarch Crest section for more info. Finally, you can opt out of the final 9 miles of Rainbow Trail single-track by descending along FSR 201. This option is much easier and faster than the singletrack.
Ride length: 32.5 miles
Ride type: loop (counter-clockwise)
Riding time: 5 hours
Surface: paved road (0.2 miles); dirt road (14.9 miles); single-track (17.4 miles)
Elevations: start/end 8,550; max 11,300; min 8,440
Total climbing: gain/loss 4,890
Aerobic level: strenuous (its a long ride)
Technical level: 4+ (steeps with loose rocks; laterally eroded side-cuts; tight vertical transitions on single-track)
Season: July through October
USGS Quadrangles: Poncha Pass, Mount Ouray, Bonanza
Ride type: loop (counter-clockwise)
Riding time: 5 hours
Surface: paved road (0.2 miles); dirt road (14.9 miles); single-track (17.4 miles)
Elevations: start/end 8,550; max 11,300; min 8,440
Total climbing: gain/loss 4,890
Aerobic level: strenuous (its a long ride)
Technical level: 4+ (steeps with loose rocks; laterally eroded side-cuts; tight vertical transitions on single-track)
Season: July through October
USGS Quadrangles: Poncha Pass, Mount Ouray, Bonanza