Poncha Springs: Droney Gulch Loop
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This route is a less technical but more strenuous and longer alternative to the Washout Road Loop. Both rides overlap a great deal, but this route takes you higher on the plateau of open sage meadows at the toes of Mount Shavano. The views of the Angel of Shavano are stunning in spring as are the views of the lower Arkansas Valley surrounding Salida.
The route does have a little too much Exercycle-style spinning on pavement and riding on US 285 is a bit unpleasant despite the wide shoulder, but your time on the dirt will more than compensate you for the dues you'll pay. The main section of the downhill is a twisty and fun descent on an extremely scenic and pleasant dirt road.
The route does have a little too much Exercycle-style spinning on pavement and riding on US 285 is a bit unpleasant despite the wide shoulder, but your time on the dirt will more than compensate you for the dues you'll pay. The main section of the downhill is a twisty and fun descent on an extremely scenic and pleasant dirt road.
USGS Quadrangles:
Salida West, Maysville
Ride length: 18.8 miles
Ride type: lollipop-loop
Riding time: 2-3 hours
Surface: paved road (8.8 miles); dirt/jeep roads (10.0 miles)
Elevations: start/end 7,480'; max 9,020'; min 7,230'
Total climbing: gain/loss 2,030'
Aerobic level: moderate (climbing)
Technical level: 2+ (some fast sections)
Season: April through October
Getting there: from the intersection of US 50 and US 285 (5 miles west of Salida on US 50), turn left on US 285 and drive about 0.1 miles south. Park in the open island on the left, just north of the High Valley Center in Poncha Springs. Additional parking may be found at Chipeta Park, one block east of US 50 on La Plata in Poncha Springs (look for a sign).
Ride type: lollipop-loop
Riding time: 2-3 hours
Surface: paved road (8.8 miles); dirt/jeep roads (10.0 miles)
Elevations: start/end 7,480'; max 9,020'; min 7,230'
Total climbing: gain/loss 2,030'
Aerobic level: moderate (climbing)
Technical level: 2+ (some fast sections)
Season: April through October
Getting there: from the intersection of US 50 and US 285 (5 miles west of Salida on US 50), turn left on US 285 and drive about 0.1 miles south. Park in the open island on the left, just north of the High Valley Center in Poncha Springs. Additional parking may be found at Chipeta Park, one block east of US 50 on La Plata in Poncha Springs (look for a sign).
The Ride:
-0.0 - From your car, turn right (north) on US 285 and start riding on the wide shoulder.
-0.1 - Continue riding north on US 285 after carefully crossing US 50.
-0.3 - Continue riding north on US 285 after crossing the intersection with CR 120.
-0.5 - Turn right on US 285 north and continue riding on the wide shoulder.
-1.6 - Turn left (west) on CR 140. Be careful crossing the highway, especially on busy weekends.
-3.4 - Turn right (north) on CR 250.
-4.0 - Continue riding on CR 250 as you pass the intersection with Eagle Meadows Trail on the right.
-4.2 - Continue riding uphill on CR 250 as you pass the intersection with Bald Eagle Lane on your right. The road turns to dirt a few yards past this intersection.
-4.6 - Cross a cattle guard and enter the Shavano Wildlife Management Area.
-4.9 - Continue straight on CR 250 as you pass an unmarked road on your right.
-5.0 - Continue straight on CR 250 as you pass an unmarked spur on your right.
-5.2 - Continue straight on CR 250 as you pass an unmarked spur on your right.
-5.3 - Continue straight on CR 250 as you pass an unmarked spur on your right.
-5.4 - Continue straight on CR 250 as you pass an unmarked spur on your right.
-5.5 - Continue straight on CR 250 as you pass an unmarked spur on your left.
-5.6 - Continue straight on CR 250 as you pass an unmarked spur on your right.
-5.7 - Continue straight on CR 250 as you pass an unmarked spur on your left.
-5.7+ - Continue straight on CR 250 as you pass an unmarked spur on your right.
-6.0 - Continue straight on CR 250 as you pass an unmarked spur on your left and right. This is starting to feel like I'm repeating myself.
-6.1 - Continue straight on CR 250 as you pass the intersection with TR 5630 (Washout Road) on your right.
-7.0 - Continue climbing on CR 250 as you pass an unmarked spur on your left.
-7.2 - Continue straight on CR 250 as you pass an unmarked spur on your left.
-7.3 - Cross a cattle guard and enter the San Isabel National Forest. The road is now FSR 250.
-7.4 - Bear right at the fork with FSR 250/FSR 252. Continue climbing on FSR 250. Note- FSR 252 climbs to the Shavano/Tabeguache trailhead.
-7.6 - Stay on FSR 250 as you pass a double-track spur on the left.
-7.8 - Turn right to continue on FSR 250. FSR 250A is straight in front of you.
-8.1 - Stay on FSR 250 as you pass a double-track on the right.
-8.6 - Turn right to continue riding on FSR 250; a double-track dead end is to your left. Check out the stunning views of the Angel of Shavano to the west.
-9.7 - Turn right (downhill) to continue on the main route.
-10.2 - Turn right as you intersect FSR 251.1.
-10.3 - Cross the National Forest boundary. You are now on CR 251.1. This section of the road is pleasant, pretty, and fun.
-12.5 - Pass the Droney Gulch State Trust Wildlife Management Area boundary.
-12.9 - Continue downhill on the main road as you cross a wash.
-14.2 - Turn right (south) on US 285 and spin back to Poncha Springs.
-17.2 - Pass the intersection with CR 140 to close the loop. Continue spinning on the shoulder of US 285.
-18.4 - Cross US 50 and turn left. You can almost see your car from here.
-18.8 - Back at the car. Some Thai food might hit the spot.
Options: take along some USGS maps and see how far you can weave your way north on the network of county and Forest Service roads that vein the area west of US 285.
-0.1 - Continue riding north on US 285 after carefully crossing US 50.
-0.3 - Continue riding north on US 285 after crossing the intersection with CR 120.
-0.5 - Turn right on US 285 north and continue riding on the wide shoulder.
-1.6 - Turn left (west) on CR 140. Be careful crossing the highway, especially on busy weekends.
-3.4 - Turn right (north) on CR 250.
-4.0 - Continue riding on CR 250 as you pass the intersection with Eagle Meadows Trail on the right.
-4.2 - Continue riding uphill on CR 250 as you pass the intersection with Bald Eagle Lane on your right. The road turns to dirt a few yards past this intersection.
-4.6 - Cross a cattle guard and enter the Shavano Wildlife Management Area.
-4.9 - Continue straight on CR 250 as you pass an unmarked road on your right.
-5.0 - Continue straight on CR 250 as you pass an unmarked spur on your right.
-5.2 - Continue straight on CR 250 as you pass an unmarked spur on your right.
-5.3 - Continue straight on CR 250 as you pass an unmarked spur on your right.
-5.4 - Continue straight on CR 250 as you pass an unmarked spur on your right.
-5.5 - Continue straight on CR 250 as you pass an unmarked spur on your left.
-5.6 - Continue straight on CR 250 as you pass an unmarked spur on your right.
-5.7 - Continue straight on CR 250 as you pass an unmarked spur on your left.
-5.7+ - Continue straight on CR 250 as you pass an unmarked spur on your right.
-6.0 - Continue straight on CR 250 as you pass an unmarked spur on your left and right. This is starting to feel like I'm repeating myself.
-6.1 - Continue straight on CR 250 as you pass the intersection with TR 5630 (Washout Road) on your right.
-7.0 - Continue climbing on CR 250 as you pass an unmarked spur on your left.
-7.2 - Continue straight on CR 250 as you pass an unmarked spur on your left.
-7.3 - Cross a cattle guard and enter the San Isabel National Forest. The road is now FSR 250.
-7.4 - Bear right at the fork with FSR 250/FSR 252. Continue climbing on FSR 250. Note- FSR 252 climbs to the Shavano/Tabeguache trailhead.
-7.6 - Stay on FSR 250 as you pass a double-track spur on the left.
-7.8 - Turn right to continue on FSR 250. FSR 250A is straight in front of you.
-8.1 - Stay on FSR 250 as you pass a double-track on the right.
-8.6 - Turn right to continue riding on FSR 250; a double-track dead end is to your left. Check out the stunning views of the Angel of Shavano to the west.
-9.7 - Turn right (downhill) to continue on the main route.
-10.2 - Turn right as you intersect FSR 251.1.
-10.3 - Cross the National Forest boundary. You are now on CR 251.1. This section of the road is pleasant, pretty, and fun.
-12.5 - Pass the Droney Gulch State Trust Wildlife Management Area boundary.
-12.9 - Continue downhill on the main road as you cross a wash.
-14.2 - Turn right (south) on US 285 and spin back to Poncha Springs.
-17.2 - Pass the intersection with CR 140 to close the loop. Continue spinning on the shoulder of US 285.
-18.4 - Cross US 50 and turn left. You can almost see your car from here.
-18.8 - Back at the car. Some Thai food might hit the spot.
Options: take along some USGS maps and see how far you can weave your way north on the network of county and Forest Service roads that vein the area west of US 285.
Topo with elevation profile:
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