Colorado Headwaters of Adventure
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Marshall Pass--Colorado/Silvercreek/Rainbow Trail Loop

This ride is a great sampling of what the Marshall Pass area has to offer, with a long moderate climb followed by miles of singletrack descending, and should appeal to riders who like to 'earn their turns'!

Trip by Absolute Bikes.

Author: moojo
Date: 11 Sep 2008 10:24:13 PM
Activity: Mountain Biking
State: Colorado (CO)
Distance: 33.36 mi  (Change units)
Elevation: Total Gain: 12502 ft
Total Loss: 12487 ft
Net Change: 15 ft
Difficulty: 7 / 10
Tags: Salida, Colorado
Rating: Unrated   Rate it

The area to the east of Marshall Pass boasts a number of outstanding singletrack trails. The great riding here is often overshadowed by the fame of the Monarch Crest Trail, but one thing sets this area apart--Loops, without the need for a shuttle vehicle. This ride is a great sampling of what the Marshall Pass area has to offer, with a long moderate climb followed by miles of singletrack descending, and should appeal to riders who like to 'earn their turns'!

Here's a movie from the Rainbow Trail section of this ride.

Trip by .

TO TRAILHEAD: This ride starts at the intersection of Rainbow Trail and Hwy 285.  Take Hwy 285 south from Poncha Springs approximately 5.5 miles to Mears Junction (intersection of Hwy 285 and Marshall Pass Road) ; the Rainbow Trail crosses 285 about 1/4 mile farther along the highway.  There is a wide should on either side of the highway suitable for parking.

Position Format: Datum:
Tracks

Track 3

Dist: 0.00 mi Points: 2
Time: none Speed: 0.0 mph Pace: 0:00 / mi

Track 4

Dist: 0.00 mi Points: 2
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Track 1

Dist: 0.00 mi Points: 2
Time: none Speed: 0.0 mph Pace: 0:00 / mi

Track 0

Dist: 33.36 mi Points: 727
Time: none Speed: 0.0 mph Pace: 0:00 / mi

Track 6

Dist: 0.00 mi Points: 2
Time: none Speed: 0.0 mph Pace: 0:00 / mi

Points of Interest

Intersection

Location: 38.363720°, -106.176926°
After fording the creek, you arrive at the top of Silvercreek Road (FR 2012) and the bottom of Toll Gulch Road (FR 869). Proceed left and down Silvercreek Road.

Intersection

Location: 38.415672°, -106.138092°
Stay right after crossing the bridge.

Intersection

Location: 38.392410°, -106.247192°
Bear left onto the doubletrack. Marshall Pass Road (graded) veers right and tops out at its highest point in a few feet (with a pretty cool view, probably worth a short detour!).

Intersection

Location: 38.419445°, -106.129745°
Turn right when you reach the Shirley Site Parking area. There is a restroom here.

Intersection

Location: 38.448200°, -106.106781°
Turn left onto CR 200, Marshall Pass Road.

Intersection

Location: 38.422737°, -106.141304°
Continue straight on CR 200.

Intersection

Location: 38.352661°, -106.241898°
Silvercreek Trailhead. Turn left onto the singletrack. Do not continue on the Colorado Trail to Saguache! Note: This section of trail is non-motorized.

Intersection--Interpretive Signage

Location: 38.421806°, -106.128960°
Stay left at this intersection. The town of Shirley was a railway loading station for ore carried on a seven mile tramway over the mountain from the town of Bonanza. It once had 5,000 inhabitants, about the same as present day Salida.

Intersection/Trailhead

Location: 38.365410°, -106.174850°

Restroom

Location: 38.395077°, -106.247452°

Ride Begins

Location: 38.444691°, -106.105225°
There is a wide gravel shoulder suitable for parking on either side of Hwy 285 where the Rainbow Trail crosses. Head downhill on the highway a short distance to CR 200--be careful of highway traffic!


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