Colorado Trail: Kenosha Pass To Breckenridge
Jefferson, Colorado
Address: | ~Forest Rd 849, Jefferson, CO 80456, USA |
GPS: |
39°24'46.4"N 105°45'31.5"W Maps | Directions |
State: | Colorado |
Trail Length: | 33.00 miles |
MTB Difficulty: | Advanced |
Trail Type: | Other |
MTB Trail Type: | Singletrack |
Mountain Bike
Begin at Kenosha Pass trailhead. Best to get an early start if possible, as this trail took us much longer than we thought it would. The trail out of Kenosha is fairly easy and definitely scenic. It has a balance of uphill and downhill, although it does climb more as you get closer to the Georgia Pass area. This section is very lush and can be pretty treacherous when wet as there are many roots on parts of the trail that made for some slow going. Weather is unpredictable here too, so plan for bad weather!The ascent up to Georgia Pass is more or less an easy climb, although the altitude (you are just above treeline) and strong winds may add some excitement for you. Once at the top, the views on both sides make the climb worthwhile and you will definitely want to bring a camera to record your journey. It is about 12 miles from Kenosha to the top, and may take about 3 hours depending on your ability. Technically, this section was not that hard.The backside of the pass is where things start to get interesting. Once off the pass, you will immediately hit some great singletrack downhill and the climb up is forgotten. However, after a few miles you will run into some rocky sections of large boulders in the trail that will probably slow you down quite a bit. Roots are quite common in this section as well...and can also take their toll. We ran out of water (we carry 3L Camelbaks) about 6 miles below the pass, so make sure you take a water filter out there!The CO Trail has been re-routed in one key place, and instead of following the road down for almost the entire length of the trail (as it appears on older maps), it now has a significant climb added in. If you have an up-to-date map, you will see this climb about 10-12 miles down from Georgia Pass. Be prepared as it is about 1000' over 1.5 miles and was quite difficult after having ridden in high altitude and having about 22 miles of trail behind us. It is a long steady climb to be sure, and you will be cursing the CO Trail folks for adding this section in...until you start going down again. This is some of the best singletrack you will encounter on the CO Trail anywhere from this point back to Denver. From the top of this ascent, almost all the way to Hwy 9, there are fantastic descents, easy and scenic forest sections, and just a few short climbs thrown in to keep you honest. Just great riding for the last 10 or so miles.Once into Breckenridge, it is about a 4 mile ride up the bike path (south) until you get into the business part of town. You can ride to wherever you arranged to meet your friends. Have a nice meal, then jump in the car, head back to Kenosha (approx. 1 hour by car) to get your other vehicle, and call it a day. It took us about 8 hours to do the 32 trail miles...but we had some rain which made things extra slick and slow in a few places. A good weather day might cut that time somewhat. As with most any trail, you will want to bring a good map with you (we used the Latitude 40, Summit County Trails map). Courtesy of Singletracks.com
More Information
Never modify trail features. Ride trails when they're dry enough that you won't leave ruts. Speak up when you see others on the trail and always yield to hikers, horses, and others coming uphill. Always ride on the established trail.
Read MoreDirections
From Jefferson, Colorado
- Head northeast on US Hwy 285 N toward Michigan Creek Rd (4.4 mi)
- Turn left onto Colorado TrailDestination will be on the left(43 ft)
Other Mountain Bike Trails Nearby
Colorado Trail: Kenosha Pass To Lost Creek Wilderness Bound
Jefferson, Colorado
0.0 miles E6.5 miles out and 6.5 miles back, this trail is a load of fun! Some super flowy, fast downhills with tacky dirt so you can just rail the turns, some decently technical climbs, this...
Mountain BikeBurning Bear Trail
Grant, Colorado
4.3 miles NThis is a simple out and back from either end. The trail climbs sharply from an elevation of about 9,600 feet at either end to a high point of about 10,800 in the middle. It's about 3...
Mountain BikeColorado Trail: Kenosha Pass To Lost Creek Wi
Bailey, Colorado
6.1 miles NE6.5 miles out and 6.5 miles back, this trail is a load of fun! Some super flowy, fast downhills with tacky dirt so you can just rail the turns, some decently technical climbs, this...
Mountain BikeGuniella Pass Camping - No Fees
Grant, Colorado
6.3 miles NELocated west of Denver, Colorado, and south of Georgetown on the South Fork of Clear Creek in spruce forests. The campground is split into two loops. There are 17 sites available, 10 are suitable...
Camp, Mountain BikeBruno Gulch / South Park Trail #600
Dillon, Colorado
7.9 miles NI was looking for something different today. We decided to check out South Park Trail from Bruno Gulch to Geneva Creek. I was looking forward to an easy ride but it didn't turn out that...
Mountain BikeGeneva Basin Ski Resort Trail
Dillon, Colorado
7.9 miles NStart heading north from Bruno Gulch Road, running parrallel to Guanella Pass road. Connect singletrack, old 4x4 trails and connect all the way up to the abandoned ski resort whose...
Mountain BikeArgentine Pass
Idaho Springs, Colorado
18.9 miles NFollow service road about 1/4 mile. Trail takes off to left. The trail follows the old Argentine Central railroad grade to the old townsie of Waldorf a ghost town now.From here you can...
Mountain BikeBakerville Loveland Valley Trail
Silver Plume, Colorado
19.4 miles NThis trail climbs steadily up the valley from Bakerville to Loveland Valley Ski Area.From the parking lot ride west on a dirt road.After a short distance you come to a gate.This is...
Mountain BikeColorado Trail: Redskin Mountain
Bailey, Colorado
19.8 miles EThe trail here is similar to other Colorado Trail sections in the area, though the first 3 miles or so are heavily used by horses and the tread is sandy and broken up in places. Ride...
Mountain BikePavilion Point Loop
Georgetown, Colorado
21.1 miles NThis is one of my regular training rides. ItÃs a combination of pavement, doubletrack, sweet singletrack, and an awesome downhill. Oh yea there is a 5 mile hill climb 1500 ft, but...
Mountain BikeEmpire Pass
Georgetown, Colorado
21.1 miles NThis was the old stage road between Georgetown and Empire.Now it's a nice piece of single track about a mile in length that connects the two towns. On your bike ride back under the...
Mountain BikePavilion Point / Silverdale / Silver Creek / Empire Pass
Georgetown, Colorado
21.2 miles NTook one of the editors from the Denver post on this ride.http://www.denverpost.com/extremes/ci_6391185This loop incorporates the singletrack around Georgetown into a big loop. It can...
Mountain BikeBlackjack / Raspberry Ridge
Pine, Colorado
22.6 miles EAccess the new Raspberry Ridge / Blackjack trails by dropping down the Homestead trail and picking up Raspberry Ridge as it peels off to the left.Raspberry ridge is a technical climb...
Mountain BikeCub Creek Trail
Evergreen, Colorado
22.7 miles NEThis trail serves as an entrance to the Mt Evans Wilderness Area. Don't let the Wilderness sign at the trailhead fool you--you can ride a good five miles before hitting the Wilderness...
Mountain BikeBuffalo Creek
Pine, Colorado
23.4 miles EWow, this trail is awesome. I had high expectations after riding the Green Mountain and Morrison Creek sections off the nearby Colorado trail and Buffalo Creek didn't disappoint. The...
Mountain BikeBarbour Fork Loop
Idaho Springs, Colorado
23.5 miles NEThis is a tough but rewarding ride. Some insane climbs and some killer downhill sections all of which can be ridden! Lots of technical rocky sections. You ride through open meadows....
Mountain BikeBaldy Trail
Pine, Colorado
23.8 miles EThis trail makes a loop with the Gashouse Gulch-6miles if you start form Gashouse Gulch Trailhead-9miles if you start from Meadows Campground and connect via The Redskin Creek Trail....
Mountain BikeMaxwell Falls
Evergreen, Colorado
24.2 miles NEThis is a steep rocky technical climb. The ride back down makes it all worth while. It was a short fun ride I made it a little longer by connecting with Cub Creek Trail and riding to...
Mountain BikeHicks Mountain
Evergreen, Colorado
24.6 miles NEThis is a good beginner ride or a way to add 5 miles to Beaver Brook . This was a fun ride on an old road. The first couple miles are fairly flat and open. The trail becomes steeper...
Mountain BikeFlying J Ranch
Conifer, Colorado
25.0 miles ESuper easy singletrack with a couple of very short challenging sections. Very possibly the best beginner's trail on the Front Range and just a lovely little park. Going clockwise on...
Mountain BikeNearby Campsites
Guniella Pass Camping - No Fees
Grant, Colorado
6.3 miles NELocated west of Denver, Colorado, and south of Georgetown on the South Fork of Clear Creek in spruce forests. The campground is split into two loops. There are 17 sites available, 10 are suitable...
Camp, Mountain BikeFulford Cave
Basalt, Colorado
48.3 miles WFulford Cave Campground is located in a sparse stand of young aspen, spruce and fir, near an active beaver pond and East Brush Creek. From this high location, there are nice views of Yeoman Park...
Camp, Cave