Gravel Adventure Field Guide Trinidad / Las Animas County Southeast Colorado

TRINIDAD / LAS ANIMAS COUNTY SOUTHEAST COLORADO

GRAVEL ADVENTURE FIELD GUIDE TRINIDAD / LAS ANIMAS COUNTY SOUTHEAST COLORADO

GRAVEL ADVENTURE FIELD GUIDE

Fort Collins

Denver

70 25 Colorado Springs

COLORADO Pueblo

Walsenburg Trinidad

NEW MEXICO Santa Fe Amarillo Albuquerque

1 Introduction

Welcome to adventure cycling in southeastern Colorado. In a few short years, Trinidad/Las Animas County has emerged as a gravel bike destination that offers a unique old-west inspired, rural cycling experience. With a county road network of 1,600+ miles, cyclists can enjoy a number of rides that see more cattle guards than cars, all while taking in the culture, history, and scenery that make this region distinctly different than the rest of Colorado.

We strive to inspire cyclists to ride in small groups to create their own personal gravel experience. All of the routes highlighted in this Gravel Adventure Field Guide start and end in downtown Trinidad. Come see why the relatively undiscovered dirt of rural Las Animas County is some of the best gravel bike terrain in the state. Explore what we have to offer. We are confi dent you’ll come back for more.

Settled in 1859, incorporated in 1879. El Rio de las Animas; Santisima Trinidad. Ride to the top of Simpson’s Rest for a great overview of the area. 2 3 Climate: rockymounts.com 14.7h 14.4h 14.2h 13.5h 12.0h 13.2h 87˚F 11.2h 12.0h 85˚F 83˚F 10.2h DAY 10.9h 79˚F 9.6h LIGHT 10.0h 74˚F HOURS MAL RID 69˚F 65˚F R E O TE 57˚F N 57˚F 57˚F T 56˚F M 51˚F N 52˚F P 49˚F SA E 49˚F HIGH A 49˚F R LE 43˚F AT Y P UR VER 34˚F 39˚F E A 2.5” 27˚F 2.3” 27˚F 21˚F 19˚F 1.9” TEMP. 1.6” 20˚F LOW 1.5” 1.3” 1.0” 1.1” Rocky Mounts 0.8” 0.5” 0.6” 0.6”

AVRG. RAIN JAN FEB MAR APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC Paid Ad

Getting to Trinidad: Drive 3-hours south from Denver. Drive 3-hours north from Albuquerque.

Colorado owned and operated since ‘93. We make Riding north out of Trinidad on County Road 75, cyclists solid, dependable, and rock steady bike racks for will quickly see an expansive landscape marked by roads when you absolutely, positively can’t ride it there. steeped in history. 4 Trinidad/Coordinates Otero 105˚ W Pueblo 37.1695° N, 104.5005° W 104˚ W 103˚ W 38˚ N 38˚ N

V I

25 S

R A Bent H C U C Huerfano R E

V I

Walsenburg A P

H 350

S 160 I 25 P A L I A R R Costilla E T V I F E R E A R T I O N T A Aguilar A G R S U P

Spanish Peaks Ludlow 350 Las Animas County 25 Baca

160 Trinidad 160 Cokedale 22

P U R G A T O I R E R I V E R Starkville 69 Colorado State Line 37˚ N 37˚ N 105˚ W 104˚ W 103˚ W LEGEND Raton Feb. 28, 1861—Congress passed the Organic Act Colorado Mapped Routes that created Colorado Territory and moved the Santa Fe Trail 25 boundary between Colorado Territory and New Miles Mexico Territory from the 38th parallel south to the 37th parallel 0 2 4 6 8 10 New Mexico 6 7 Welcome We would like to welcome everyone to Trinidad, Colorado, to experience the area’s gravel road opportunities. We are art of Las Animas County, the largest county in Colorado, consisting of 4,775 square miles with 1600+ miles of gravel roads.

These roads take in the expanse of the eastern plains and the western mountains for the enjoyment of area citizens and visiting cyclists.

The City Council of Trinidad is encouraged by the potential of becoming the next big adventure hub for gravel bike enthusiasts in the state. Make your next stop Trinidad, Colorado. Enjoy our deep history. Ride our soil. See remnants of our past, and help us build a new future.

The Bloom Mansion, located at 312 E. Main Street, was constructed in 1882. Today it is the home of the Trinidad History Museum 8 9 Th e P u r g a t o re i

“Ute coming down from the mountains to hunt buffalo on the plains used to camp here. This spot (Trinidad) on the Purgatoire River where we now live was long a favorite camping ground, fi rst for the Indian and then the White. The fur trapper knew the Purgatoire as a beaver stream and set their traps up and down its winding banks. Before wheeled vehicles were put to use, great caravans of pack mules, numbering as many as 75 to 200 animals in a pack train passed by here and along the trail later to be known as the Santa Fe Trail.” Overlooking the river west of Trinidad. The Purgatoire River was also known locally as the Picketwire. French trappers named the river after Spanish explorers killed — Arthur Roy Mitchell by Native Americans. Purgatoire means Western Artist & Colorado Historian Purgatory in French. Photo Courtesy: A. R. Mitchel Museum. 10 11 Fishers Peak State Park 30 3k’ square-miles elevation gain Fishers Peak is a natural landmark that helped guide travelers on the Santa Fe Trail and cemented Trinidad’s identity as an early old west trail town. In 2019, the former privately-owned Crazy French Ranch (19,200 acres) was acquired by the state of Colorado and declared the 42nd state park. It was the result of a partnership between The Nature Conservancy, Trust for Public Land, Colorado Parks & Wildlife, the city of Trinidad, and Great Outdoors Colorado. While the property is currently off limits to bikes, a master plan is in development that will only improve the 39,000 off-road cycling experience of Trinidad/Las Animas County, and eventually expand the experience with connections to acres the city of Raton and Sugarite Canyon State Park in New Mexico. Expect the gravel adventures from downtown Trinidad to only get better in the years ahead. To put the size of Trinidad’s Fishers Peak in perspective, Vail has 5,289 skiable acres. It has the same vertical gain as most ‘14ers.

12 13 RIDE PHOTOS work in progress

Roll out of town and the roads turn into smooth gravel. You’ll capture some amazing views, and pieces of the town’s history will reveal themselves in pockets along your adventure. roads are included in a few routes. miles west of downtown; these county Trinidad Lake State Park is located five

14 pack mules on ranch land. you pass old infrastructure and a few Experience the region’s mining past as

RIDE PHOTOS work in progress Together We Make Biking Better. Since 1999, PeopleForBikes has created a prominent place for bikes in transportation, mobility and recreation decisions at all levels of government. We ensure bikes are prioritized and positioned as a real solution to improve Americans’ health, connect communities, boost local and state economies, strengthen our nation and protect our planet.

We accomplish this by being proactive and planning for the future, adopting a broad and inclusive vision for government affairs and making it convenient

the Spanish Peaks. Sangre de Cristo Mountains and Take in wide open views of the for leaders at all levels to take advantage of opportunities and legislation that prioritize bikes.

Together, we work with federal, state and local offi cials to make biking better for everyone. peopleforbikes.org

Ride Spot by PeopleForBikes: Turn-by-turn navigation made easy. Get the app, enjoy our routes, free.

Please download the free Ride Spot app to navigate the routes using visual and

with little to no traffi c. smaller size groups, on county roads Explore and discover new terrain in audio directions and track your ride.

Hover over the QR code with the camera on your smartphone. Follow the prompt and download the app.

Once you have downloaded and registered, scan the QR on any of the following map pages to immediately see, save and navigate the gravel route.

16 17 GRAVEL ADVENTURE FIELD GUIDE Trinidad / Las Animas County Route Maps

Under 25 Miles Arroyos and Ditches ...... pg. 20 Trinidad Lake Loop ...... pg. 22

25 to 50 Miles Perry Stokes Airport Loop ...... pg. 24 Corrido de Casimiro ...... pg. 26

50 to 75 Miles Al’s Escape ...... pg. 28 Dirty Trinidad Revival ...... pg. 30 Sunflower Valley Tour ...... pg. 32

75 to 100 Miles Pancho & Lefty’s Loop ...... pg. 34 Miner’s Classic ...... pg. 36 Revenge of the Black Hand ...... pg. 38

Over 100 Miles Vuelta Huajatolla ...... pg. 40

18 19 — GRAVEL ROUTES: UNDER 25-MILES — TRINIDAD / LAS ANIMAS COUNTY GRAVEL ADVENTURE FIELD GUIDE Arroyos & Ditches

CR 42 HOEHNE RD As farmers moved north from NewHoehne Mexico and

CR 42 HOEHNE RD implemented traditional irrigation systems, they began 79 Hoehne to construct a series75 of ditches. Pedaling along this route, you’ll 25see how this method of water36 distribution 79 75 350 is still crucial to the agricultureCR 75.1 and cattle160 operations 25 36

67 El Moro75.1 CR 350 in the Sunflower Valley. A mix of abandonedLEGEND and 160 CR 75.1 160 Gravel Road working 69ranches lend a sense of heritage to this ride. 75 Paved Road

El Moro75.1 CR 67 LEGEND Major Road 160 Arroyos carved by160 water and time, seen along the way, Gravel Road TH Miles 69 Paved Road 75 add visual texture to a short sub 25-mile0 route0.5 1 1.5 that2 Major Road 160 Trinidad TH Miles starts and ends in town. E MAIN ST Trinidad 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 24

TH E MAIN ST 24 22

Distance:TH 22 Miles TH 22 Elevation: +636 Ft Barela Starkville TH Max Grade: 3.1% CR 12.5 Barela 25 Starkville Approx: 70/30 Unpaved/Paved CR 12.5 25 ridespot.org/rides/255075

6290 ft

6050 ft 6290 ft 5810 ft 6050 ft Miles 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22

20 5810 ft 21 Miles 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 — GRAVEL ROUTES: UNDER 25-MILES — TRINIDAD / LAS ANIMAS COUNTY GRAVEL ADVENTURE FIELD GUIDE Trinidad Lake Loop El Moro The Trinidad Lake Loop is a great short loop that takes LEGEND El Moro 69 25 you westGravel out Road of town. Utilizing the wide shoulder on Paved Road HighwayMajor 12, Road the ride finishes strong on a fun stretch of TH LEGEND Miles 160 69 25 Gravel Road dirt and double-track road starting at Longs Canyon. 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 Paved Road Major Road There’s a good chance you’ll even see wildlife, including TH 160 Miles elk, turkey, bears, and mountain lions. While Eriding MAIN ST 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 along the south shore of the lake, imagine whatFOX WEST life 57

E MAIN ST was like in Sopris, a former mining communityCR 20.8 that is TH Trinidad FOX WEST submergedCokedale beneath the lake today. 57

TH CR 20.8 TH Trinidad Cokedale

25 TH Distance:CR 18.3 23 Miles Starkville Elevation: +1,500 Ft 25 CR 18.3 Starkville Max Grade: 10.3% Approx: 50/50 Unpaved/Paved ridespot.org/rides/255072

7190 ft

6590 ft

7190 ft 5990 ft Miles 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 23 6590 ft 22 23 5990 ft Miles 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 23 CR 42 HOEHNE RD

Hoehne 350 CR 89.3 CR 79 38

— GRAVEL ROUTES: 25 TO 50 MILES — TRINIDAD / LAS75 ANIMAS COUNTY GRAVEL ADVENTURE FIELD GUIDE 25 36

81 Perry Stokes Airport Loop 160 67 El Moro CR 81.5

69 75 CR 42 HOEHNE RD On the dirt roads northeast160 of Trinidad lies a small rural

TH Hoehne 350 airport with a cool story. It started in 1936 as a WPA

Trinidad CR 89.3 CR 79 38 project, and then served as a WWII training field, weather

E MAIN ST 24 75 observation post, and commercial airport. In 1944, aviator 25 36

81 TH Perry Stokes arrived and began to coordinate the first 22 160

DC-3TH commercial flights between Denver and Albuquerque El Moro 67 CR 81.5 from 1949 to 1957. A terminal was built in 1951. Looping Barela 69 Starkville 75 the airport provides fantastic handlebar sweeping views of CR 12.5 160 25 TH the Spanish Peaks, Fishers Peak and Mesa, and a glimpse Trinidad into Trinidad/Las Animas County’s aviation history.

LEGEND E MAIN ST 24 Gravel Road Distance:Paved Road 36 Miles TH 22 Major Road Elevation: +1,200Miles Ft TH Max Grade:0 0.5 19.1%1.5 2 Barela Starkville Approx: 70/30 Unpaved/Paved CR 12.5 25 ridespot.org/rides/255071

LEGEND 7260 ft Gravel Road Paved Road Major Road 6480 ft

Miles 5700 ft 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 Miles 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30 33 36

24 25

7260 ft

6480 ft

5700 ft Miles 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30 33 36 CR 42 HOEHNE RD Hoehne — GRAVEL ROUTES: 25 TO 50 MILES — TRINIDAD / LAS ANIMAS COUNTY GRAVEL ADVENTURE FIELD GUIDE

75 Corrido de Casimiro 25 36

350 160

Corrido67 is SpanishEl Moro for “to run”. Corrido also doubles as

CR 42 69 HOEHNE RD a storytelling ballad,75 and this one is named for Casimiro Hoehne Barela. He served160 both in the ColoradoCR 81.5 Territory and TH Trinidad State legislature,CR 24.6and after 40 years became known as 79

75 the “Father of the Senate”. Senator Barela advocated for 25 36 ENGLEVILLE 24

bilingual educationCR 73.4 and preservation of Hispanic culture 350 TH 160 in southern Colorado. This route follows the22 contours22 CR 105.5 67 El Moro ofTH Fishers Peak Mesa and passes a number of cattle 69 Barela 75 ranchesStarkville and the village that bearsCR 85.5the Barela name. 160 CR 81.5

TH CR 12.5 Trinidad 25 CR 24.6

ENGLEVILLE 24 Distance: 38LEGEND Miles CR 85.5 CR 73.4 Gravel Road TH Elevation: +3,100 Ft 22 22 Paved Road CR 105.5 Max Grade:Major Road 8.7% TH Miles

Barela Approx: 90/100 0.5 1 Unpaved/Paved1.5 2 CR 85.5 Starkville ridespot.org/rides/255061 CR 12.5 25

CR 85.5 LEGEND 6980 ft Gravel Road Paved Road 6360 ft Major Road

Miles 5740 ft Miles 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 38 0 0.5 1 1.5 2

26 27

6980 ft

6360 ft

5740 ft Miles 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 38 Lynn 60

— GRAVEL ROUTES: 50 TO 75 MILES — Aguilar LYNN RD TRINIDAD25 / LAS ANIMAS COUNTY GRAVEL ADVENTURE FIELD GUIDE 75 Al’s Escape CR 63.1

Lynn 60 Al Capone is a notable 20th centuryLUDLOW personality DIRECT who 44 CUTS OFF 17 MILES

Aguilar LYNN RD 25 cast his shadow onto the history of Trinidad and Aguilar. 75 Each community Ludlowhad considerable Italian immigrant75

CR 61.5 CR 63.1 populations. Mr. CaponeCR 51.0 soon realized it was a great place for either himself, or those that worked for him, 52 HOEHNE RD to retreat to when things were too chaoticCR 42 for them in LUDLOW DIRECT 44 CUTS OFF 17 MILES Chicago. County Road 75.0 represents the escape into 79 the remote sparseness of southeast Colorado,75 a place Ludlow 75 LEGEND CR 61.5 where even mafia gangsters could hide25 out. CR 51.0 Gravel Road Paved Road Major Road 67 CR 75.1 Miles

HOEHNE RD El Moro75.1 CR 350 CR 42 0 0.5 1 1.5 2

Distance: 59 Miles 69 75 79 160 75 Elevation: +1,600 Ft TH

LEGEND Max Grade: 2.5% 25 Trinidad Gravel Road Approx: 80/20 Unpaved/Paved Paved Road 24 Major Road 67 CR 75.1 Miles ridespot.org/rides/255053

El Moro75.1 CR 350 0 0.5 1 1.5 2

69 75 160

TH 6930 ft

Trinidad 6390 ft

24 5850 ft Miles 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 59

28 29

6930 ft

6390 ft

5850 ft Miles 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 59 52 — GRAVEL ROUTES: 50 TO 75 MILES — TRINIDAD / LAS ANIMAS COUNTY GRAVEL25 ADVENTURE FIELD GUIDE

M 44 CR 63.2

Dirty Trinidad Revival 75 The Dirty Trinidad Revival grinderLudlow is a route that 52 44 25 symbolizes the power of a bicycle to inspire exploration LEGEND M and create positive social change in a community. With CR 63.2 CR 42 44 Gravel Road 51 Paved Road over 1,600Major miles Road of county roads, you will quickly see why 75 CR 40.2 Miles Ludlow Trinidad is a gravel bike destination in the making. This CR 51.0 75 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 44 featured loop is intended to show a little of everything SCOTT CANYON 25 LEGEND Trinidad/Las Animas County gravel has to offer. It takes Gravel Road CR 42 67 51 Paved Road you from the Front Range into the foothills, and includes Major Road El Moro CR 40.2 CR 30.1

Miles quality framingCR 51.0 views of the Huajatollas (Spanish Peaks) CR 51.0 75 Boncarbo 69 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 and Fishers Peak, along with visual clues into the75 region’s 160 25 Trinidad SCOTT CANYON TH

ranching and mining past.

67 57 24 El Moro CR 30.1

CR 51.0 Boncarbo 69 Distance: 63 Miles 75 TH Cokedale CR 18.3 Trinidad 160 TH Elevation: +3,700 Ft TH Max Grade: 6.6% 57 CR 18.3 Starkville 24 Approx: 90/10 Unpaved/Paved 25 ridespot.org/rides/255049

TH Cokedale CR 18.3

TH 8170 ft

7010 ft CR 18.3 Starkville

25 5850 ft Miles 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 63

30 31 8170 ft

7010 ft

5850 ft Miles 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 63 — GRAVEL ROUTES: 50 TO 75 MILES — TRINIDAD / LAS ANIMAS COUNTY GRAVEL ADVENTURE FIELD GUIDE Sunflower Valley Tour Generations of farmers have Distance: 71 Miles called the Sunflower Valley home. Elevation: +2,600 Ft 101 52 52 Historically it was the area that Max Grade: 10.1% 107 extended from Jansen, west of Approx: 90/10 Unpaved/Paved 87 105 Trinidad, all the way past Hoehne to ridespot.org/rides/255046 350 the east. These fertile lands along the Purgatoire River first drew 101 Native Americans to the area, and CR 42 HOEHNE RD later supplied fruits and vegetables Hoehne 40 to the population of miners and their

239 79 families. Riding this route brings

25 36 to life what the overland Santa Fe

350 160 Trail experience would have been

El Moro like in the 19th century. You will 160 LEGEND even see wagon trail marks from 75 69 Gravel Road 160 Paved Road the remnants of an era that saw TH Major Road the region host the nation’s first Trinidad Miles 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 commercial highway.

E MAIN ST 24

22 6820 ft

6120 ft

5420 ft Miles 7 14 21 28 35 42 49 56 63 71

32 33 — GRAVEL ROUTES: 75 TO 100 MILES — TRINIDAD / LAS ANIMAS COUNTY GRAVEL ADVENTURE FIELD GUIDE Pancho & Lefty’s Loop This route is a mashup of pop culture and local history. Townes Van Zandt who penned the song passed through 79 Trinidad on his road trips between Colorado and Texas, 25 36 75 and like the tale of Pancho and Lefty this route skirts 350 160 the former borderlands between Mexico and the United 67 El Moro States. It’s a ride that reminds cyclists of the diversity

69 75 of people who have called Trinidad/Las Animas County 160 TH home. A portion of the ride crosses San Francisco Creek; Trinidad in Spanish, Pancho is the nickname for Francisco.

ENGLEVILLE 24

CR 73.4

TH 22 CR 24.6

CR 105.5

TH 22 Distance: 78 Miles

CR 85.5 Elevation: + 4,600 Ft Starkville Barela Max Grade: 8.7% CR 12.5 25 Approx: 90/10 Unpaved/Paved CR 105.5

113 ridespot.org/rides/255039 LEGEND

CR 85.5 Gravel Road Paved Road Major Road

Miles Trinchera CR 105.6 CR 8.8 CR 8.8 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 113

CR 4.4

6660 ft CR 109.6 CR 119.8

6030 ft CR 115.5 COLORADO

5500 ft QUARTER NEW MEXICO HORSE RD Miles 8 16 24 32 40 48 56 64 72 78

34 TRINCHERA PASS RD 35 — GRAVEL ROUTES: 75 TO 100 MILES — TRINIDAD / LAS ANIMAS COUNTY GRAVEL ADVENTURE FIELD GUIDE

Distance: 81 Miles Miner’s Classic Elevation: + 4,000 Ft 71 Max Grade: 17% This route gets its name because of Approx: 90/10 Unpaved/Paved the number of former mines found ridespot.org/rides/274509 along the ride. Coal from the mines 52 in Trinidad-Las Animas County was 25 highly prized for its quality in creating

M CR 63.2 coking fuel for Colorado’s smelters 44 75 further north in Pueblo. Now, 44 Ludlow ghost towns like Berwind, Chicosa,

* CR 40.2 Majestic, and Tabasco all speak *

of a bygone era that left a strong CR 51.1 * * CR 42 mark on the history and landscape CR 47.7 Hoehne

CR 53.7 AREA OF OLD MINES of the region. A route that will not CR 40.2 disappoint cyclists looking for a ride 79 CR 47.7 25 through old west history, one can’t CR 47.7 75 help but ponder what life would have REILLY CANYON RD 350 CR 47.5 been like in a Colorado Fuel & Iron CR 32.8 67 El Moro company town. CR 30.1 CR 75.1 LEGEND

Boncarbo CR 57.7 Gravel Road 69 Paved Road 75 Major Road 160 7490 ft Trinidad Miles TH

6670 ft 0 0.5 1 1.5 2

5850 ft Miles 8 16 24 32 40 48 56 64 73 81 24 36 37 !312

310

ROUSE RD RUGBY 315 CANYON 66 312

FOURMILE CANYON

!312 CR 53.7

— GRAVEL ROUTES: 75 TO 100 MILES — TRINIDAD / LAS ANIMAS COUNTY GRAVEL ADVENTURE FIELD GUIDE !314 313 Lynn 60 BEAR SPUR !312 RANCH

CR 41.4 Revenge of the Black Hand 310 Aguilar BIGHORN DR ROUSE RD RUGBY CR 63.1 315 CANYON 66 312 CR 54.2 CR 54.2 FOURMILE This ride is a chance to experience the dirt roads utilized CANYON

!312 CR 53.7 by the Black Hand (Cosa Nostra) in its quest52 to expand CR 54.4 25 CR 43.7 Italian mafia operations along the southern Colorado !314 313 CR 63.2 60 M Lynn Front Range. Mob activity did not start in Denver, but 75 BEAR SPUR 44 RANCH CR 41.4

in the corridor between TrinidadLudlow and Pueblo. Illegal Aguilar BIGHORN DR bootlegging, extortion, and contractCR 51.0 killing activity CR 63.1 caught the attention of the FBI, who began investigating CR 54.2 CR 54.2

52 the Black Hand in the 1920s. Traveling these quietHOEHNE and RD CR 54.4 25 remote roads around Aguilar and back to Trinidad is an CR 43.7

CR 63.2 M 75 experience into a world where contraband destined25 for 75 44

other places like New York, Chicago, Detroit,67 and Los Ludlow

Angeles moved freely aboutLEGEND Trinidad-Las Animas County.El Moro75.1 CR CR 51.0 Gravel Road Paved Road 69 75 Major Road Distance: 89 Miles Trinidad 160 Miles TH HOEHNE RD

Elevation: +4,300 Ft 0 0.5 1 1.5 2

Max Grade: 19.7% 25 75

Approx: 90/10 Unpaved/Paved 67

ridespot.org/rides/255024 LEGEND El Moro75.1 CR Gravel Road Paved Road 69 75 7330 ft Major Road Trinidad 160

Miles TH

6590 ft 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 5850 ft Miles 9 18 27 36 45 54 63 72 81 89 38 39

7330 ft

6590 ft

5850 ft Miles 9 18 27 36 45 54 63 72 81 89 — GRAVEL ROUTES: OVER 100 MILES — TRINIDAD / LAS ANIMAS COUNTY GRAVEL ADVENTURE FIELD GUIDE Vuelta Huajatolla The Spanish Peaks are two prominent mountains on the Trinidad/Las Animas County skyline. They were originally referred to as Huajatolla by the Comanche. It means double mountain.

Cordova Pass Camp Ground CR 50.9 The route also doubles-back over the CR 50.9 Spanish Peaks Wilderness western portion of the county. This route 46 CR 48.8 Cordova Pass CR 29.1 Cordova Pass is for those looking for a day’s worth of 46 CR 43.7

CR 21.7 CR 46.0 46 44 climbing on shaded pine forest-lined 44 Gulnare roads, while soaking up the stunning 42 CR 42 views of the peaks. A highlight is topping 51 out Cordova Pass (11,238 ft) and then Distance: 102 Miles Wet Canyon Rd CR 51.0 descending the rolling hills that skirt Elevation: +9,400 Ft the southside of the Spanish Peaks

CR 41.7

Max Grade: 10.7% SCOTT CANYON Wilderness Area all the way back to

Approx: 90/10 Unpaved/Paved CR 32.5 Trinidad (6,022 ft). CR 30.1 ridespot.org/rides/255013 CR 41.7 CR 51.0 CR 30.1 CR 30.1 Burro CanyonBoncarbo Rd 25 Trinidad 160 LEGEND TH

CR 41.7 Gravel Road Paved Road Major Road 57

Miles 24

0 0.5 1 1.5 2 Burro Canyon Rd

TH Cokedale CR 18.3 11,160 ft

TH 8580 ft

6000 ft CR 18.3 Starkville Miles 11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88 99 102 25 40 41 Rules of the Road Wear a helmet when you ride. Wave and be friendly to people you encounter on your ride. You will be riding on roads near and on open ranchland. Keep an eye open Ride with the flow of traffic and stay for a truck or some cows. If a cow is single file on sections of paved roads. in the road, slow down, take a photo. Ride in control at all times. Proceed at In low-light or dark conditions ride a safe speed that permits you to react with front and rear bike lights. to unexpected circumstances. Do not expect cars to stop for you. Do not ride on the sidewalks.

Pack appropriate clothing for your Tips to be Safe gravel ride. Reference Climate, pg. 4 Your bike should be in top working Fair-weather riding is a luxury. Those order before you begin your ride. who ride in foul weather_are badass.

Free your mind, let your legs follow. Do all your thinking before you start Responsibility your gravel ride. Once your cranks You will be riding in remote areas with start to turn, go with the flow. little to no contact with other humans. You need to be self sufficient on your Be able to fix a flat and broken chain ride. Proper food and hydration to on the roadside... if not, ride with a complete your ride in a fun and safe friend who can do it for you. way is your responsibility. Please carry at least one liter of water and a 200+ Remember sunscreen, bike gloves, calorie snack per each 20 miles of multi-tool, and eye protection. your gravel ride.

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45 The Santa Fe Trail Celebrates 200 Years - 1821 to 2021

Above: Ranch life is a big part of this area. Several generations have owned and worked family land. When traveling on the county roads, you can set your imagination free to imagine life back Traveling Western Routes in the 1820’s. Off in the distance Fishers Peak helps wayfinding. Photos: Stephen Beneski he origin of the Trinidad/Las Animas County road network began with the founding of the Santa Fe Trail in T 1821. The route between Independence, Missouri, and Santa Fe, New Mexico, was the first trail to open up the west, eventually bringing travelers via stagecoach, railroad, automobile, and now bicycle. Industries such as cattle ranching, coal mining, and oil and gas all arrived. Each brought roads that served infrastructure and community needs. This is why today we boast over 1,600 miles of county roads, with the vast Deep wagon tracks from the Santa Fe Trail The Santa Fe Trail was the nation’s first com- majority unpaved. leave a permanent mark from the 1820’s mercial highway. The Sunflower Valley Tour when thousands of pioneers moved west. route rolls right through SFT history. 46 47 Burros on Parade Photo: A.R. Mitchell Museum

According to scholars, unlike the Oregon Trail, the Santa Fe Trail didn’t carry as many immigrants. The trail was hazardous because of drought, heat, flash floods, high winds, blizzards, extreme cold, and Native American resistance. Tribes encountered in the Trinidad area included the Comanche, Apache, and the Utes. This all contributes to cyclists having years worth of stories to discover while pedaling the roads of Trinidad-Las Animas County.

Stagecoach Lines On March 3, 1847, the 29th Congress authorized the transport of mail on the mountain branch of the Santa Fe Trail. The first stagecoaches via Bent’s Old Fort ran through the site of Trinidad shortly thereafter. Communication between the U.S. and Mexico at Santa Fe was very limited and slow (2-3 months). Early stagecoaches had a capacity of 13 passengers. Depending on road conditions a stage would likely be pulled by 2 to 6 horses. 48 Stage drivers changed horses, or mules, about ten or twelve times in 24 hours, and normally traveled 8 to 10 miles an hour. Today, riding the dirt roads of Trinidad-Las Animas County is the closest experience to what early travelers saw on the Santa Fe Trail.

Cattle Drives The first cattle were driven from Texas into Colorado in 1859. The really large herds arrived after the Civil War. One of the best known cattle trails was the Goodnight-Loving Trail, established in 1864 when Oliver Loving drove to Las Vegas, New Mexico Territory, and crossed at Raton Pass, then to Trinidad, crossed the Arkansas River near Pueblo, and near Denver sold the cattle to John W. Iliff. Cattle drives led to farms and ranches springing up after the Homestead Act of 1866. The roads made to reach them now offer cyclists a chance to follow trails forged by cowboys who roamed the Trinidad-Las Animas County outback.

Coal Mining Coal mining in southern Colorado started around 1864. The earliest mines were at Starkville and Engleville near Trinidad. Between 1887 and 1893 new mines were opened at Sopris, Berwind, Hastings, Forbes Canyon, Peerless, and Brodhead. Deposits along the Purgatoire River were made accessible by FIND YOUR OWN ROAD the railroad, and mines then opened at Primero, Tercio, and other sites. All coal mines are now closed. The last was the The road to happiness does not look the same for everyone. Golden Eagle mine, located 28 miles west of Trinidad, which We provide the highest quality medicinal and recreational closed on April 19, 1996. It was owned and operated by the cannabis products on the market, at two Trinidad locations. Colorado Fuel and Iron Corporation (C.F. & I.). Today, many of Uncompromising Quality. Kind Service. Curated Selection. these mining roads offer cyclists miles of dirt to explore. GG 50 freedomroad.com A.R. Mitchell Museum of Western Art

Famed Trinidad western artist Arthur Roy Mitchell was a man ahead of his time. After Mitchel: 1975 at the age of 86 moving to New York City to study at the Grand Central School of Art, Mitchell established himself as a commercial artist and painter. Cowboys were his main subject, but he also painted scenes of rural life and western landscape. Once Mitchell returned to Trinidad, he took on the role of historian and preservationist by establishing the Trinidad Historic District. His admiration for fine art, adventure, and western culture

endures. His sister, Ethel “Tot” Photos Courtesy: A.R. Mitchel Museum Erickson, laid the groundwork for opening the museum in his honor. Today it is home to over 350 paintings and illustrations by Mitchell and his contemporaries, and also a collection of early Hispanic traditional and religious art, along with Native American pottery, blankets, rugs, clothing and artifacts he collected. 2021

marks the 40th Anniversary of Visit, and you’ll never look at the surround- the museum. ing landscape the same when pedaling the gravel of Trinidad-Las Animas County. 52 more or getting involved, please join Purgatoire Healthy River Cycles Watershed Partnership and Trout Unlimited Over the last decade the Purgatoire Watershed Partnership, volunteers for a Bags in collaboration with Trout Unlimited, has worked to & Brews river cleanup improve the water quality and land management issues on the fi rst Saturday of in the Purgatoire River watershed, which has headwaters No bad days bikefi shing. You spend time on every month. the river and saddle in the same day. starting in the Sangre de Cristo Culebra range of western Photo: Swift Industries Las Animas County and fl ows 196 miles east to the purgatoirepartners.org & tu.org confl uence with the Arkansas River.

Together they are actively engaging local youth through water education, increasing recreational opportunities, and enhancing river health and wildlife habitat along the river as it winds through downtown Trinidad. An example of this work includes creating access to fi shing along the Purgatoire River Walk trail. It’s a great opportunity for those seeking Traveling with minimal fi shing gear to the river on either a bike tour or ride, bike fi shing experiences. bikefi shing is a great way to add to the If you’re interested in learning cycling experience. Photo: Swift Industries web: OMFbeer.com | instagram: @omfbrewing | 2810 Larimer Street, Denver, CO 54 55 LOCAL LISTINGS FOR THE ADVENTURE CYCLIST TRINIDAD / LAS ANIMAS COUNTY GRAVEL ADVENTURE FIELD GUIDE TRINIDAD LOUNGE PASSPORT HOLDERS 421 N. Commercial St., Trinidad, CO MOOSE’S SOCIAL CLUB dadlounge.com RECEIVE 10% OFF THE BILL AND MARTINI BAR A place for everyone. COLIE’S CAKES & PASTRIES TUESDAY - FRIDAY 8AM-3PM Light gourmet touches. 132 N Commercial St., #A, Trinidad, CO SATURDAY 8AM-1PM Fast and friendly. coliesbakery.com facebook.com/ColiesPastries CLOSED SUNDAY & MONDAY DROP IN FOR A SPECIAL TEQUILA’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT $9 BANDITO BURGER OPEN A WEEK. 9900 Santa Fe Trail, Trinidad, CO 7 DAYS DINE-IN. DELIVERY. CARRYOUT. BIKES / BURGERS / BEERS tequilasintrinidad.com 719-846-3514 Dine-in or Take-Out.

SITA’S KITCHEN 308 W Main St, Trinidad // Open Tues. to Sat. from 12:00 // 719-216-3517 Fresh Baked, Feel Good, Organic FREE CBD SHOT WITH DRINK PURCHASE MoosesTrinidad.com & facebook.com/MoosesonMain 107 E Main St. Trinidad, CO sitaskitchen.com *Show this book to the Waitstaff on arrival. No copies allowed. Offer Expires Dec 31, 2021. BOMB PIZZA CHECK OUR WEBSITE FOR THE 2000 Santa Fe Trail, Trinidad LATEST HOURS, AND SPECIALS. ALMACK’S KITCHEN BombPizzaReady4U.com 719-220-4252 TIDBITS TRINIDAD SMOKEHOUSE HICKORY SMOKED BBQ Homemade Contemporary 225 W Main St, Trinidad, CO RESTAURANT / BAR / POOL TABLE TRINIDAD’S ART, Craft Kitchen Specializing trinidadsmokehouse.com 719-846-7665 OPEN MON-SAT LUNCH & DINNER ENTERTAINMENT & In Fresh, Whole Foods. THE COFFEE CAN RECREATION WEEKLY 2000 Santa Fe Trail, Trinidad CHECK OUR WEBSITE FOR THE www.almackskitchen.com LATEST HOURS, AND SPECIALS. Pick up your FREE ISSUE Fb & Instagram @almackskitchen BombPizzaReady4U.com 719-220-4252 at shops around town. SEXY PIZZA GRAND OPENING 326 N Commercial St, Trinidad, CO tidbitsofsoutherncolorado.com Hand-Tossed. Employee-Owned. SUMMER 2021 Thrs. to Mon. 8AM-3PM 516 E. Elm St. Trinidad sexy.pizza DINE-IN. DELIVERY. CARRYOUT. 56 57 LOCAL LISTINGS FOR THE ADVENTURE CYCLIST TRINIDAD / LAS ANIMAS COUNTY GRAVEL ADVENTURE FIELD GUIDE — CLUB 14 — GARDEN GRILL AND PUB FREEDOM ROAD (FORMERLY KNOWN AS WALTER’S) The highest quality cannabis products on the market. Fun sports bar atmosphere. Meticulously harvesting to ensure top quality supply and service. Burgers, pizza, and live entertainment. Our expert staff is always here to guide you along the way. ENJOY 10% OFF AN APPETIZER AND ENTREE $4.20 PRE-ROLL SPECIAL W/ THE GRAVEL GUIDE* freedomroad.com Indoor and outdoor dining. Brickyard Location Main Street Location TWO 2600 Freedom Road TRINIDAD 514 W. Main Street 101 Americana Road, Trinidad // Open Daily from 11:30am Sun-Thurs 8am-7pm Sun-Thurs 8am-8pm LOCATIONS 719-497-0320 Fri-Sat 8am-8pm Fri-Sat 8am-9pm *Show this book to the Waitstaff on arrival. No copies allowed. Offer Expires Dec 31, 2021.

SCAN THE CODE TO VISIT THE CITY THCU trinidadshighercallingu.com OF TRINIDAD TOURISM WEBSITE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON The First and Finest Dispensary in Trinidad. Voted Best Product Selection in the State THINGS TO DO IN THE AREA! by Leafbuyer. Best of the Best by Weedmaps.

25% OFF SELECT 25% OFF SELECT THE COLORADO WELCOME CENTER CBD PRODUCTS CONES & CAVIAR TRINIDAD’S HIGHER TRINIDAD’S HIGHER CBD & OXYGEN BAR CALLING U 309 Nevada Ave. Tues. – Sat. 9 A.M.-5 P.M. // 719-846-9512 FAMILY FRIENDLY MUST BE 21 W/ VALID ID facebook.com/visittrinidadcolorado or 500 W. Main St. 1000 Independence Rd. 7 Days a Week LOCATIONS Sun-Thurs 9:30 am-8:00 pm colorado.com/travel-information-services/visit-trinidad 10:00- 6:00 PM 2 Fri-Sat 9:30 am-9:00 pm *Can not be combined with any other offer or discount, must have Gravel Guide in hand for discount. 58 59 LOCAL LISTINGS FOR THE ADVENTURE CYCLIST TRINIDAD / LAS ANIMAS COUNTY GRAVEL ADVENTURE FIELD GUIDE A.R. MITCHELL ART CARTOPIA THE GRAVEL COIN DANCER MUSEUM OF ART CAR MUSEUM ADVENTURE ANTIQUES WESTERN ART FIELD GUIDE WELCOMES YOU TO TRINIDAD!

WHERE THE OLD, THE UNIQUE, AND THE BEAUTIFUL COME TOGETHER Museum, Gallery & Gift Shop 232 E. Main St., Trinidad 150 E. Main St., Trinidad 2702 Freedom Road, Trinidad POSTERS 719.846.0165 Tues. to Sat. 10 to 4 / Free Admission Tues. to Sat. 10 to 4 / Free Admission MERCHANDISE & MORE Open most days or by appointment. armitchellmuseum.com www.artcartopia.com backshopbikescom

MUTINY CAFE SOUTHERN SOCO COLORADO IT MASSAGE THERAPY ROASTERS & BREWERS OF DELICIOUS 221B RAPID ASSISTANCE PROJECTS & EXHIBITS AVAILABLE ON TRAIL VOTED 2020 TIDBITS COFFEE! OR IN TOWN BEST MASSAGE COMIC BOOKS! THERAPIST GRAPHIC NOVELS / ZINES / INDIE / MARVEL / DC NEW 24/7 SUPPORT-SERVICE-REPAIR IN TRINIDAD RARE VINTAGE ARRIVING SEPT. 2021 ANY COMPUTER, CAMERA, WARN BOOKS LIVE & GPS, DRONE, RADIO, OR PHONE facebook.com/SoCoMassageTherapy RECORDED 33 / 45 / 78 8T-CS-CD MUSIC [email protected] southerncolorado.net 136 W. Main St. #205 135 E. Main St., Trinidad Trinidad221B.net 719-679-3001 719-985-0347 mutinyinfocafe.com 60 61 LOCAL LISTINGS FOR THE ADVENTURE CYCLIST TRINIDAD / LAS ANIMAS COUNTY GRAVEL ADVENTURE FIELD GUIDE

MAPLE HOUSE SPANISH PEAKS PONY XPRESS GRAVEL 160 GUEST HOUSE Early May // Start & Finish in Cokedale, CO Spacious. Historic, Walk to Town Private Cabin on 200 Acres. 160K & 85K Gravel Grinder :: Present by KOOBI Road & Mountain Bike Saddles Trinidad, Colorado Walsenburg, Colorado Come discover the challenges Pony 7 guests · 3 bedrooms · 5 beds · 3 baths 6 guests · 3 bedrooms · 4 beds · 2 baths Express riders faced in the 1860s. Airbnb.com MapleHouse Airbnb.com Spanish Peaks This event winds along gravel roads northwest of Trinidad, Colorado. Embark on a journey featuring rolling foothills, captivating forests, fast gravel on the open plains with stunning views of old mines, ghost towns, and Fishers Peak. Next year’s registration opens in the Fall.

Registration and Route Information at:. www.spanishpeaksguesthouse.com ColoradoGravelGrinderChampionship.com

BACKSHOP BIKES EVENTS LA QUINTA FAR QUARTER GRAVEL ADVENTURE RIDES INN & SUITES Backshop Bikes curates adventure travel cycling experiences rooted in By Wyndham cross cultural engagement and immersion. More info: backshopbikes.com TRINIDAD - Super Trinidad Rodeo - Saturday June 5, 2021 - Noche Sucia - 10% OFF YOUR STAY WITH THE GRAVEL GUIDE* Saturday August 22, 2021 - Mitch’s Roundup - 2833 Toupal Dr, Trinidad // Open Daily. 24 Hours. // 719-845-0102 Saturday September 4, 2021 wyndhamhotels.com/laquinta/trinidad-colorado Registration and Route Information at: *Show this book to the front desk at check-in. No copies allowed. Offer Expires Dec 31, 2021. FarQuarterGravel.com

62 63 GRAVEL ADVENTURE FIELD GUIDE Trinidad / Las Animas County

Route Creation, Photos & Content: Juan de La Roca // Backshop Bikes Travel Co

Publisher, Creative Director, Maps, & Illustrations: Stephen Beneski // Beneski Design

SPECIAL THANKS TO: City of Trinidad Ofﬁ ce of Economic Development Wally Wallace

Ride Spot & PeopleforBikes Tobie DePauw

hashtag and follow our story: @backshopbikes @beneskidesign @ farquartergravel @peopleforbikes @visit.trinidad.colorado

Warning: Riding a bike in a remote area can be dangerous. Th is book serves as an overview guide to explore Trinidad/Las Animas County. Be prepared to enter remote areas with little to NO cell service! Be familiar with GPS. Always ride within your own limits. We are not responsible if you crash, fl at, or get lost. Be safe. Be prepared. Ride with a friend. Ride at you own risk.

GravelGuide.BigCartel.com