by Michele Kadison

Nestled amongst 14,000 foot mountain peaks, Salida is known as a Colorado Rockies Shangri-La. With its many hidden trails, this treasure of a town is ideal for hikers and mountain bikers looking to loose themselves in a big nature vacation. And if it’s fishing or whitewater rafting you crave, spend your day on the Arkansas River that wends its way right through downtown Salida. Only three hours outside of Denver and 1.5 hours away from Colorado Springs, this mountain haven is an easy drive for those of you wishing for stupendous outdoor activities all year round.

History
Salida is a product of the railroad boom of the 1880s. After the mining and railroad industries suffered their decline, the area began to fill with artists. Now the town boasts a funky mix of renovated railroad houses, Victorian style homes, and a downtown filled with eclectic art galleries. The area is known as the Banana Belt by the old timers due to the dryness of the area even during the winter months. It is because of this that mountain biking can be easily enjoyed all year round.

Three great Mountain Biking Trails in Salida

Bear Creek
Leading to the Rainbow Trail, Bear Creek is a good intermediate run of 17 miles, which takes between 1.5 to three hours round trip. Here you will climb Bear Creek Road to intersect with a beautiful single track section of the Rainbow Trail. Weaving its way in and out of forests and meadows, you will have perfect views of Salida as well as the peaks of the Sawatch Range. If you want to stretch out the ride, keep going down the single track for 15 more miles of the Rainbow Trail as you travel west.

Monarch Crest Trail
Weaving its way to Silver Creek, this is an advanced 38 mile trail that takes from four to six hours one way. The trail extends along the Continental Divide above the tree line and then drops more than 4,000 vertical feet back into town. With exceptional views of the Colorado Rockies, the single track trail starts at 11,400 feet and ends at 10,800 feet at Marshall Pass to the south. Pedaling through the alpine setting, you will pass streams, defunct mines, and many a beaver dam. If you need a break from the altitude or the effort of this 40 mile trail, take the former narrow-gauge railroad cutoff down Marshall Pass, which will take you to Poncha Springs, only five miles west of Salida on U.S. 50.

South Fooses Creek
Another intermediate trail that extends for 12 miles, this will take you two to three hours round trip. The trail starts at U.S. 50 just west of Salida and follows South Fooses Creek as it ascends towards the Continental Divide. You will go through cool forests as you encounter short yet steep climbs. Take the log bridges across the creek as you wind back and forth on the 3.1 miles of single track. Watch for the Forest Service sign, which will indicate the point where you can turn back, or continue for another 2.5 miles to the top of the Continental Divide. This last stretch is mainly for experts who can navigate the boulder fields that connect with Monarch Crest Trail. If you wish, you can take Monarch Crest Trail for five more miles and then make your way back by going down to South Fooses Creek.

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