Colorado Trail: Mount Princeton Section 9.18.09

(Last Updated On: July 31, 2017)

Almost every section of the Colorado Trail has great mountain biking. The Mount Princeton section of the Colorado Trail traverses the flanks of the Collegiate fourteener and is a quick section that I sometimes do on the way to or from Denver. While I describe it as a loop with the flat roads in the Arkansas valley, this trail would probably work as an out and back as well, although the first section would have some hike-a-bike going up from Cottonwood Creek.

Brittany and I started just off of Cottonwood pass road, and headed out towards the south end of the trail near the Frontier Ranch.
Mountain biking Mount Princeton section of Colorado Trail

The leaves are getting close to peak color:
Mountain biking Mount Princeton section of Colorado Trail

Mountain biking Mount Princeton section of Colorado Trail

Mt. Princeton. We rode along its flanks from left to right on the CO trail:
Mountain biking Mount Princeton section of Colorado Trail

Mt. Antero, the Mt. Princeton Hot Springs, and the Chalk Cliffs:
Mountain biking Mount Princeton section of Colorado Trail

The trail reminds me a little of the Rainbow trail section of the “Monarch Crest” ride. Lots of little gullies and whoop-de-do’s and the occasional rock garden.
Mountain biking Mount Princeton section of Colorado Trail

Mountain biking Mount Princeton section of Colorado Trail

Mountain biking Mount Princeton section of Colorado Trail

Mountain biking Mount Princeton section of Colorado Trail

Mountain biking Mount Princeton section of Colorado Trail

Mountain biking Mount Princeton section of Colorado Trail

Mountain biking Mount Princeton section of Colorado Trail

Mountain biking Mount Princeton section of Colorado Trail

Mountain biking Mount Princeton section of Colorado Trail

Mountain biking Mount Princeton section of Colorado Trail

Mountain biking Mount Princeton section of Colorado Trail

Yet another 14er, Yale, can be seen through the trees in this photo:
Mountain biking Mount Princeton section of Colorado Trail

That’s about it, we’re really digging the fall riding with all the colors. Looks like it should stop snowing and warm back up next weekend, so things may just be perfect.

For more trail information please see Frontier Ranch on our Crested Butte Mountain Biking Guide.

Frank Konsella

Frank loves snow more than anything... except his wife.  He ensures his food is digested properly by chewing it 32 times before swallowing.He is a full-time real estate agent serving Crested Butte and Gunnison and would be honored to send you his monthly newsletter.

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Frank Konsella

Frank loves snow more than anything... except his wife.    He ensures his food is digested properly by chewing it 32 times before swallowing. He is a full-time real estate agent serving Crested Butte and Gunnison and would be honored to send you his monthly newsletter.

2 thoughts on “Colorado Trail: Mount Princeton Section 9.18.09

  • September 22, 2009 at 5:49 pm
    Permalink

    Hey Frank,

    Have you done the section under Mt. Elbert? Basically ride from halfmoon road up to the junction to climb elbert then drop down to Twin Lakes. The climb up is pretty tough, but well worth the ride down to Twin Lakes. Easy to do as a point to point or make it a loop with dirt roads. Good stuff.

    -Jon

  • September 22, 2009 at 6:57 pm
    Permalink

    Hey Jon-

    That’s another one of my favorite CO Trail sections in the Ark valley. I’ve done it as an out-and-back from Halfmoon to the Elbert Trailhead, which seemed to work pretty well. I usually try to ride Elbert all the way from the top down to Twin Lakes using the other section of the trail. Good stuff, for sure.

    The section just North of Hwy 50, on the other hand, is the only part of the CO trail I haven’t liked.

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