Poncha Springs: Blank's to US 50 Loop (CO Trail)
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Okay, I'll be honest: this isn't a great ride. There is some really tasty single-track, like the stretch between the Blank's Cabin and the Angel of Shavano trailheads. The section between Lost Creek and US 50 also has numerous fine moments. When put in the context of the overall ride, however, it feels like a lot of work, a lot of climbing, and too much asphalt for those precious 5+ miles. In addition, all the super-sized RVs roaring up-and-down Monarch Pass make the descent on US 50 is more frightening than any gnarly single-track I can imagine.
Why post it? Well, it covers a good chunk of the Colorado Trail. And it's a fairly decent workout.
Why post it? Well, it covers a good chunk of the Colorado Trail. And it's a fairly decent workout.
USGS Quadrangles:
Salida West, Maysville
Ride length: 23.0 miles
Ride type: loop
Riding time: 3 hours
Surface: paved road (8.8 miles); dirt road (6.8); single-track (7.4 miles)
Elevations: start/end 8,120' ; max 9,830' ; min 7,720'
Total climbing: gain/loss 2,975'
Aerobic level: moderate (but it's a long ride)
Technical level: 4 (some steep sections with loose rocks; laterally eroded side-cuts)
Season: June through October
Getting there: from the intersection of US 50 and US 285 (5 miles west of Salida), and drive approximately 2.3 miles west on US 50 to the intersection with CR 250. Turn right on CR 250 and drive 2.1 miles (CR 250 turns to dirt 0.8 miles past the intersection with CR 140). Cross a cattle guard and enter the Shavano Wildlife Management Area (sign on the right). There is a large pull-out on the left (south) side of the road. Park here. The ride begins at your car.
Ride type: loop
Riding time: 3 hours
Surface: paved road (8.8 miles); dirt road (6.8); single-track (7.4 miles)
Elevations: start/end 8,120' ; max 9,830' ; min 7,720'
Total climbing: gain/loss 2,975'
Aerobic level: moderate (but it's a long ride)
Technical level: 4 (some steep sections with loose rocks; laterally eroded side-cuts)
Season: June through October
Getting there: from the intersection of US 50 and US 285 (5 miles west of Salida), and drive approximately 2.3 miles west on US 50 to the intersection with CR 250. Turn right on CR 250 and drive 2.1 miles (CR 250 turns to dirt 0.8 miles past the intersection with CR 140). Cross a cattle guard and enter the Shavano Wildlife Management Area (sign on the right). There is a large pull-out on the left (south) side of the road. Park here. The ride begins at your car.
The Ride:
-0.0 - Begin riding west (uphill) on CR 250. Be sure you have plenty water because the next 6 miles are hot with a lot of steady, but easy, climbing.
-0.3 - Stay left on the main road. There are many spurs for the next few miles; stay on the main road.
-1.5 - Stay on the main road. TR 5630 forks to the right.
-3.0 - Bear left onto CR/FSR 252. Follow the sign to "Shavano / Tabaguache TRHD at Balnk's Cabin 3."
-3.5 - Drop down and cross over a small stream with excellent camp sites on both sides of the road.
-5.9 - Enter the Shavano/Tabagauche trailhead area. Ride left and (south) past the parking area on CR/FSR 252B. Note - there are pit toilets at this trailhead.
-6.2 - The road forks. Go right on FSR 254 (uphill); FSR 252B heads downhill and right.
-6.4 - Turn left onto the Colorado Trail single-track. The trail entrance is well marked.
-7.9 - Small stream crossing after a slightly rugged descent.
-8.0 - Angle of Shavano Trailhead. Stay on the thin single-track line between the large sign and the parking area.
-8.0(+) - Cross FSR 240 and continue on the Colorado Trail single-track.
-8.2 - Cross North Fork Creek on a good bridge. At this point the trail becomes much more technical with some sections of hike-a-bike.
-9.8 - Top out on the climb and enjoy the excellent single-track as a reward for your effort.
-11.5 - Enter a large meadow that is frequently used as a camping area. Stay right (slightly north) of the meadow, cross a faint double-track, and look for the narrow single-track that skirts the meadow counter-clockwise through a stand of aspen.
-11.6 - Cross a road and continue on the single-track.
-12.8 - Pass under the steel power line tower and follow the faint single-track under a second set of power lines. The trail becomes double-track and heads downhill. US 50 is clearly visible below you.
-13.2 - Turn left at the Colorado trail marker and continue downhill.
-13.5 - Cross the old railroad grade.
-13.8 - Cross US 50 and turn left. Stay as far right as possible as you fly downhill on asphalt.
-21.1 - Turn left at the intersection with CR 250. Head north on CR 250. You're almost done!
-23.0 - You are finally back at the car. Well, what did you think of the ride?
Options: It's a shame that the sweetest single-track along here is so hard to access. If you want to do this ride as an out-and-back, park at the intersection of US 50 and CR 225 (mile 13.8 of this ride) and ride up the Colorado Trail toward the Blank's Cabin trailhead. The total ride, if done end-to-end, will be about 13 miles.
There are no ideal ways to ride this as a one-way shuttle; your driving times will probably exceed your riding time. At best, you could leave one car at the intersection of US 50/CR 225 and drive the bikes to the Angel of Shavano trailhead on CR 240. Once again, this is a lot of driving for less than 6 miles of riding (especially since about 1.6 miles are a burly, uphill effort).
-0.3 - Stay left on the main road. There are many spurs for the next few miles; stay on the main road.
-1.5 - Stay on the main road. TR 5630 forks to the right.
-3.0 - Bear left onto CR/FSR 252. Follow the sign to "Shavano / Tabaguache TRHD at Balnk's Cabin 3."
-3.5 - Drop down and cross over a small stream with excellent camp sites on both sides of the road.
-5.9 - Enter the Shavano/Tabagauche trailhead area. Ride left and (south) past the parking area on CR/FSR 252B. Note - there are pit toilets at this trailhead.
-6.2 - The road forks. Go right on FSR 254 (uphill); FSR 252B heads downhill and right.
-6.4 - Turn left onto the Colorado Trail single-track. The trail entrance is well marked.
-7.9 - Small stream crossing after a slightly rugged descent.
-8.0 - Angle of Shavano Trailhead. Stay on the thin single-track line between the large sign and the parking area.
-8.0(+) - Cross FSR 240 and continue on the Colorado Trail single-track.
-8.2 - Cross North Fork Creek on a good bridge. At this point the trail becomes much more technical with some sections of hike-a-bike.
-9.8 - Top out on the climb and enjoy the excellent single-track as a reward for your effort.
-11.5 - Enter a large meadow that is frequently used as a camping area. Stay right (slightly north) of the meadow, cross a faint double-track, and look for the narrow single-track that skirts the meadow counter-clockwise through a stand of aspen.
-11.6 - Cross a road and continue on the single-track.
-12.8 - Pass under the steel power line tower and follow the faint single-track under a second set of power lines. The trail becomes double-track and heads downhill. US 50 is clearly visible below you.
-13.2 - Turn left at the Colorado trail marker and continue downhill.
-13.5 - Cross the old railroad grade.
-13.8 - Cross US 50 and turn left. Stay as far right as possible as you fly downhill on asphalt.
-21.1 - Turn left at the intersection with CR 250. Head north on CR 250. You're almost done!
-23.0 - You are finally back at the car. Well, what did you think of the ride?
Options: It's a shame that the sweetest single-track along here is so hard to access. If you want to do this ride as an out-and-back, park at the intersection of US 50 and CR 225 (mile 13.8 of this ride) and ride up the Colorado Trail toward the Blank's Cabin trailhead. The total ride, if done end-to-end, will be about 13 miles.
There are no ideal ways to ride this as a one-way shuttle; your driving times will probably exceed your riding time. At best, you could leave one car at the intersection of US 50/CR 225 and drive the bikes to the Angel of Shavano trailhead on CR 240. Once again, this is a lot of driving for less than 6 miles of riding (especially since about 1.6 miles are a burly, uphill effort).
Topo with elevation profile:
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