Crested Butte Mountain Biking: Teocalli Ridge:expert
|
Information & Conditions: Teocalli Ridge:expert
Updated 6/27/16
Status: Good to Go!
Current Conditions: June 27 - Use caution at river crossings, and 2 LARGE trees down. Hope to get on these soon.
Detailed Description:
Teocalli Ridge is another classic ride in the Brush Creek area. Ride out Brush Creek road (2 miles south of Crested Butte) per the usual route. Along the way, take in some incredible views up-valley and remind yourself why you enjoy this sport so much.
The road eventually starts climbing and gets steeper. Stay left at the first road junction where the sign points right to Pearl Pass and East Brush Creek. You are now heading up West Brush Creek. At the second sign, stay right on West Brush Creek Trail. (The Deer Creek trail goes left.) Ride out two miles of beautiful doubletrack, cross a big creek, and climb on the doubletrack as it gets steeper and steeper. The road eventually tops out in a small open area, then continues straight. This road dead-ends at the wilderness border.
To the right, the Teocalli Mountain singletrack starts the real climb up the south flanks of Teocalli Mountain. This is a tough climb! Keep spinning, it’s all ridable. At the top is a trail intersection. The Teocalli Mountain Trail continues straight ahead. This trail descends quickly to Middle Brush Creek and is not a great biking trail.
To the left is a faint hiking trail. Some folks like to ride Teo Ridge to here and then hike to the top of Teocalli Mountain. Plan on all day for that option.
The ride continues right at this intersection onto the Teocalli Ridge Trail and climbs some more! Shortly before the pain is over there is a great view of Teocalli Mountain, Castle Peak, Pearl Pass, and the Middle Brush Creek drainage on your left. This is a good place for lunch.
The trail continues along Teocalli Ridge and then begins a raucous downhill. Stay straight on the main trail when you come to a side trail. Careful on the downhill, there are some real surprises along the way. Speed kills, maims and breaks things.
Eventually, after some brake pad wear and finger cramping, the trail opens up, traverses an incredible flower covered slope, switchbacks a few times and drops you out onto a rough dirt road. Turn right and continue down on the road.
In a small group of aspen where the road bears right, there is a trail intersection and a sign for Farris Creek Trail 409. If you want to extend your singletrack adventure that includes another short climb, take this left. Follow it past the Farris Creek, Strand Hill and Strand Bonus Trails, keeping right, and head out to Brush Creek Road on the Canal Trail. Cross the canal and turn left on Brush Creek Road, and ride back to the highway.
If you stay on your original course at the sign for Farris Creek Trail 409, you’ll continue down the rough road, do a double creek crossing and climb shortly back up to the intersection with West Brush Creek Road. You’ll probably recognize where you are. If not, continue straight down Brush Creek Road and back out to the highway.
Trail descriptions and updates courtesy of The Mountain Bike Hall of Fame, Holly's Ride Guides, and The Crested Butte Mountain Bike Association. Trail Reporting Software and maps ©2000-2024 Thin Air Web. All rights reserved.
Related Businesses
Select a category below to view listings:
|
