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Amazing views over an extensive tour of the Aspen Backcountry.


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Map Key

27.5

Miles

44.2

KM

88%

Runnable

10,101' 3,079 m

High

7,714' 2,351 m

Low

4,499' 1,371 m

Up

4,502' 1,372 m

Down

6%

Avg Grade (4°)

26%

Max Grade (15°)

Dogs Unknown

Features Views · Wildflowers

Overview

Run from town, through many famous local parks. Up and over near by mountains and passes. Incredible views along the way. A tough course with many rocks and roots.

Description

Start – Go East on the Rio Grande trail and turn left to take the Dirt Trail through the John
Denver Sanctuary across the Krajian Bridge, take a right up the Hunter Creek Trail.
Turn Right onto the Lani White Trail, up and through Williams Ranch, take Silverlode Dr.
across to Smuggler Mountain Road.
Turn left on Smuggler Mountain Road. Take Smuggler Mountain Road up to the BTS trail. (Aid
Station #1)
Head up the BTS Trail to the Tootsie Roll Trail.
Follow Tootsie Roll Trail to the Lollipop Trail.
Follow the Lollipop to the new lower Lollipop Trail down to the Iowa Shaft Trail (USFS Trail
#2172.1).
Follow the Iowa Shaft Trail down to Hunter Creek Valley South Trail (USFS #21A.1).
Turn left on the Hunter Creek Valley South Trail and follow it to the Hunter Creek Cutoff Trail.
Turn right on the Hunter Creek Cutoff Trail and then a right onto the Hunter Creek Valley Trail
(USFS #1992.2).
Turn left on North Spur Trail (USFS #1992.3B) and bear left on the Lazy Man Shortcut (USFS
#1992.3D) and continue to Hunter Creek Toll Road (USFS #20A) and Aid Station #2.
Then right on the Hunter Creek Valley North Trail (USFS #21A.1).
Follow the Hunter Creek Valley North Trail to the Hummingbird Trail.
Take the Hummingbird Trail to the Hunter Creek Toll Road (USFS #20A).
Turn Right on the Hunter Creek Toll Road and then bear right on the Hunter Creek Overlook
Trail (USFS #2491.1).
Turn left onto the Hunter Creek Toll Road and then a right onto Burnt Hole Road (USFS #22).
Turn left onto the Hobbit Trail (USFS #1989.3) and follow the Hobbit Trail to Four Corners.Aid
Station #3
Take the Red Mountain Communications Site Road and then turn left onto the Secret/Jedi Trail
(USFS #1987.3).
Turn Left on the Sunnyside Trail (USFS #1987.1) and follow it until the Shadyside Cutoff
(USFS #1988.2).
Turn left on Shadyside Trail (USFS #1988.1) and follow it until it joins the Sunnyside Trail
again.
Turn right on the Sunnyside Trail and follow it until it meets the Rio Grande Trail.
Turn left on the Rio Grande Trail and follow it until it joins a series of singletrack trails that
parallels the Rio Grande Trail.
Cross the Roaring Fork River on the Picnic Point Bridge and turn left on the Music Tent singletrack trail.
Turn left onto the Grindley Bridge and then a right turn back onto the Rio Grande Trail. Follow
the Rio Grande Trail back to Rio Grande Park and the finish.

Contacts

Shared By:

Luke Philips

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 1 vote

#6

in Aspen

#4509

Overall
  4.0 from 1 vote
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4 Star
100%
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Recommended Route Rankings

#6

in Aspen

#573

in Colorado

#4,509

Overall
1 Views Last Month
7 Since Aug 13, 2022
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

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Photos

View from Red Mountain, traversing its face on the Sunnyside Trail.
Jun 6, 2017 near Aspen, CO
View from Smuggler's Observation Deck
Jul 28, 2017 near Aspen, CO
A beautiful aspen grove stands near the top of the Sunnyside Trail.
May 26, 2017 near Aspen, CO
On a clear day, both Aspen and Independence Pass can be seen from the Sunnyside Trail.
May 26, 2017 near Aspen, CO
Enjoy great views from the Sunnyside Trail.
May 26, 2017 near Aspen, CO
The Sunnyside Trail is sure to give Fido a workout!
May 26, 2017 near Aspen, CO

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