This route is adapted from the Crooked Gravel's 25-mile route.
If you prefer to do this sort of ride competitively or in the community of other riders with support, check out their event!
Grand County gravel is pretty spectacular! Expect quiet and good quality dirt roads with extremely low car traffic. The forest service roads wind through Aspen and Pine forests and alongside all the local creeks. When you're not in the forest, you get moments under Colorado's signature bluebird sky with wide-open views of impressive looking, snow-covered peaks.
In the past, we've ridden the "bike path" which runs parallel to the busy main street to get between Winter Park and Fraser, and the Fraser River Trail is a really lovely alternative. It is a wide crushed gravel path that removes you from the congestion of town and meanders along the river, past ponds, and over wooden bridges.
St Louis Creek Road is a steady 7-mile climb with a gradual grade (approximately 3% average). You can really settle into a nice pace and enjoy the views on this wide, smooth dirt road.
We had almost zero lows on this ride. It is a pretty sweet little route!
One thing to note, was that the winding Fraser River Trail is used by pedestrians, families and people walking their dogs (The first 4 miles or so.). Expect to slow down and take a casual pace through this section. We recommend ringing a bell and call your pass and being friendly to all the locals!
When we rode this in mid-June, the winter snow melt had the river roaring, and one very small section was washed out but was still passable on our gravel bikes. (Pay attention to flood warnings this time of year!)
Do this ride if you want a short, beginner/intermediate gravel route in Grand County which really highlights what makes the area so special- lovely low-traffic roads, epic mountain views, and winding forest roads with Aspens, Pines and flowing creeks.
We actually started this ride from our dispersed campsite up on Vasquez Road, but the downloadable GPX file starts from the base of Vasquez Road in Winter Park where there is a free public parking garage.
There are public bathrooms in the Hideaway Park which is less than a half mile from the start. In addition, you can find a wide variety of cafes and restaurants along the main street if you are looking for pre or post-ride food, coffee or beer.
(We love The Perk for coffee and breakfast burritos in Winter Park.)
Once you have passed Fraser (after mile 5) the route quickly becomes remote. We only noticed one port-a-potty at the Vasquez Road Trailhead, but that is quite close to the end (mile 24).
Bring enough water and food for the 25 miles. In the summer months, you are always close to water in the creeks so you can filter water easily if you have a portable water filter. The Katadyn BeFree 1-liter water bottle filter is our favorite portable filter to throw in our back pocket for rides like this.
Always check weather and pack layers when heading out. Conditions can change quickly at high elevation, and even when no rain is "predicted" you can find yourself in isolated showers.
We rode on the Givelo Trail for about a mile (Approximately mile 5.5-6.5). It is is a single track trail that parallels the St. Louis Creek Road. If single track is not your jam, pop over on to the dirt road if you prefer!
We'd classify this route as a beginner to beginner/intermediate ride, but you do get a decent amount of climbing in the 25 miles (almost 2,000 ft), and you are starting at about 8,600 feet above sea level. It is not technical terrain, but it doesn't mean it's "easy".
Laura & Rose
Laura Karpinski and Rose Barcklow are the creators of Gravel Bike Adventures. Click on the About page to learn more about them.
