Singletrack Serenity:
Silverton to Durango
By Greg Heil
The segment of the Colorado Trail running from Silverton to Durango is unequivocally one of the most sublime stretches of continuous bike-legal singletrack — not just in the nation, but on all of planet Earth.
Running 75 miles one-way, this spectacular trail crosses several soaring mountain passes over 12,000 feet above sea level as it works its way along one of many vaulted crests in the San Juan mountain range.
Molas Pass
Some riders will pedal this renowned singletrack while bikepacking the entire Colorado Trail (COT) from end-to-end (albeit with reroutes on dirt roads around Wilderness areas). Others will choose to bikepack this uninterrupted 73-mile segment on its own. However, if you’re more of a day ride-type mountain biker, this epic COT segment is home to at least four spectacular day ride combinations — more, if you’re willing to do some research and get creative.
Several of the most epic day rides begin at Molas Pass — the most scenic of the mountain passes along the famed Million Dollar Highway. The highway access makes the trailhead easy to reach, but that doesn’t make this day ride easy.
One of the best routes beginning at Molas Pass climbs along the COT over a rugged 12,195-foot mountain pass before plummeting down some of the rowdiest singletrack in the San Juans — the upper stretch of the Engineer Mountain Trail followed by Engine Creek.
To coordinate the ride, you’ll have to drop a vehicle at Cascade Creek and drive a second vehicle to the top of Molas Pass. Despite the shuttle, you’ll still have to pedal and push up a grueling 2,800 vertical feet — your reward being 5,000 feet of descending.
Yes, this ride can feel like a grunt at times, but if you take the time to look up from your climbing, you’ll find that you’re traversing along the spine of one of the most beautiful mountain ranges anywhere in the world. Towering rocky peaks surround you, with endless ridges trotting off into the distance. Layers of red rock give the San Juan mountains a unique character, contrasting beautifully with the stereotypical gray granite and the green of the lush vegetation on the slopes below.
Unlike some other mountain ranges in Colorado, the San Juans are filled with vibrant plant life.
When you drop into the Engine Creek trail, you’ll find yourself surfing dirt through fields wildflowers towering above your head! The jungle-like meadows quickly give way to deep, dark pine forests reminiscent of the Pacific Northwest with dark black dirt and slick root webs.
Engine Creek is sure to remind you that you’re in Colorado, though, with rough rock gardens and sheer ledge drops — oftentimes in the middle of tight switchbacks. The constant chunder punctuated by the big, high-commitment moves — all set on a steep slope — means that Engine Creek truly earns its black-diamond rating.
Big-mountain climbs
Big-mountain climbs at high altitude followed by raucous descending is a combination that requires both efficiency on the uphill and forgiveness and confidence on the descent. The Switchblade is the perfect tool for this rugged alpine ride, providing a stable, snappy pedaling platform combined with plenty of burl and straight-line tracking when the going gets tough. But it isn’t all work and no play — with a little creativity, the Switchblade can get poppy off the risers and drops in this trail, opening up air opportunities and the chance to reimagine the descent as a high-speed playground.
Just don’t get too ahead of yourself — Engine Creek has a tendency to veer sharply into unexpected switchbacks, so make sure you spot your landing before you take to the sky.
Engine Creek
Engine Creek drops into the Cascade Creek drainage, and remarkably, you’re still a long way from the car at this point. Two trails run along Cascade Creek to provide egress from the backcountry. While the closer (east) trail runs past a stunning waterfall, this “downhill” trail includes a shocking number of hike-a-bike uphills along the way. The west trail is much more rideable, but you’ll still need to hoof the bike up a couple of steep spots and a massive ledge.
Molas to Engine Creek
Molas to Engine Creek is just one of many fantastic ride options along this stretch of the Colorado Trail. After experiencing this incredible high-alpine adventure, undoubtedly you’ll find yourself thirsting for more!
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