Timberline Trail to Texas Ridge 9.18.11
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After nearly a week of rain leading up to September 18th, we were all racking our brains trying to figure out a ride that might be dry. Taylor Park tends to be a touch drier than Crested Butte, plus the soil is more rocky and Texas Ridge is mostly spongy pine needles, so that became the goal. The last time we rode it, we went up Texas Creek, but this time we decided to access the Timberline trail off of Cottonwood Pass instead.
While accessing Timberline from Cottonwood adds almost 5 miles and 20 minutes of riding, it’s totally worth it since the Timberline trail is a rockin’ downhill from Cottonwood down to Texas Creek. Unless I expect Cottonwood to be extra busy, this is probably the way I will usually go to get to Texas Ridge. One of the Texas Lakes near the junction of the Timberline Trail and Texas Creek road:
Sydney:
From Texas Creek, the Timberline trail climbs steeply- very steeply before the downhill starts again. Still, most of the trail is barely rideable and a good challenge if you’re up for it. A couple shots of the climb:
Once the descent on Timberline, and then Texas Ridge starts, the fun levels spike on what at least one member of our party openly wondered “might just be Gunnison County’s best ride”. High praise indeed, and completely warranted. I was shooting video with my GoPro, but unfortunately the lens got splashed early on and it wasn’t worth using any of the footage. So, just a couple shots of the descent:
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Ticked this one off last Sunday. Super worthy… great ride.
Glad you approve, Evan- One of our favorites, too!
Hi Evan! Glad you liked it! Let us know when you’re in the area next time 🙂
Rode Texas Ridge as an out-n-back on Sunday after Doc Park. This thing is HIDING in plain sight.
Glad you had a good ride Mike!