{"id":423213,"date":"2016-11-02T20:54:20","date_gmt":"2016-11-03T02:54:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/?p=423213"},"modified":"2016-11-02T21:06:19","modified_gmt":"2016-11-03T03:06:19","slug":"tr-salida-riding-arkansas-hills-cottonwood-tour","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/2016\/11\/tr-salida-riding-arkansas-hills-cottonwood-tour\/","title":{"rendered":"TR: Salida Riding &#8211; Arkansas Hills &#8211; Cottonwood Tour"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Salida is probably more known for its riding off of Monarch Pass along the Monarch Crest.  While variations of the <a href=\"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/2016\/07\/long-monarch-crest-7-14-16\/\" target=\"_blank\">Monarch Crest<\/a> are certainly awesome, Salida also has some great other riding options.  Back in mid-Septemeber a front was passing through and I didn&#8217;t want to ride in the pouring rain, or potentially snow, in Crested Butte.  I was looking for a good desert ride that was not too far away from home and the <a href=\"http:\/\/salidamountaintrails.org\/arkansas-hills-trail-system\/\" target=\"_blank\">Arkansas Hills Trail System<\/a>, off of the S-Mountain, fit the bill.  The Cottonwood Tour was a longer option.  Larry and Natalie joined be for the day!<\/p>\n<p>We started in town, and began the climb.  Larry.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/gallery\/salidacottonwood\/20160913_101703Larry.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" alt=\"Larry Fontaine mountain biking in Salida\" class=\"alignnone size-large\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Natalie.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/gallery\/salidacottonwood\/20160913_101732natalie.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" alt=\"Natalie Moran mountain biking in Salida, CO.\" class=\"alignnone size-large\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/gallery\/salidacottonwood\/20160913_102704Larry.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"498\" alt=\"Larry Fontaine mountain biking Arkansas Hills Cottonwood Tour in Salida, CO\" class=\"alignnone size-large\" \/><\/p>\n<p><!--more READ MORE!--><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/gallery\/salidacottonwood\/20160913_1042110Natalie.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"480\" alt=\"Natalie Moran mountain biking Arkansas Hills Cottonwood Tour in Salida, CO\" class=\"alignnone size-large\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The Arkansas Hills Trail System is pretty well marked.  At the top, we found yet another sign.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/gallery\/salidacottonwood\/20160913_125444ArkansasHillsTrailSystem.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"566\" alt=\"Mountain biking Arkansas Hills Trail System in Salida, CO\" class=\"alignnone size-large\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Then there was the down.  There was a lot of down, a good thing!<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/gallery\/salidacottonwood\/20160913_135425Natalie.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"640\" alt=\"Natalie Moran mountain biking Arkansas Hills Cottonwood Tour in Salida, CO\" class=\"alignnone size-large\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Fast and flowy down.<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/20160913_135433Natalie.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/20160913_135433Natalie-800x590.jpg\" alt=\"N\" width=\"800\" height=\"590\" class=\"alignleft size-large wp-image-423218\" srcset=\"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/20160913_135433Natalie-800x590.jpg 800w, https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/20160913_135433Natalie-300x221.jpg 300w, https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/20160913_135433Natalie-768x567.jpg 768w, https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/20160913_135433Natalie.jpg 1561w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>But with occasional obstacles.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/gallery\/salidacottonwood\/20160913_135756natalie.jpg\" width=\"503\" height=\"800\" alt=\"Natalie Moran mountain biking Arkansas Hills Cottonwood Tour in Salida, CO\" class=\"alignnone size-large\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/gallery\/salidacottonwood\/20160913_135800Natalie.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" alt=\"Natalie Moran mountain biking Arkansas Hills Cottonwood Tour in Salida, CO\" class=\"alignnone size-large\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Me.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/gallery\/salidacottonwood\/20160913_102835_29659179675_oBrittany.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" alt=\"Brittany Walker Konsella mountain biking Arkansas Hills Cottonwood Tour in Salida, CO\" class=\"alignnone size-large\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/gallery\/salidacottonwood\/20160913_132641_29550831682_oBrittany.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" alt=\"Brittany Walker Konsella mountain biking Arkansas Hills Cottonwood Tour in Salida, CO\" class=\"alignnone size-large\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Some techy spots for sure too.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/gallery\/salidacottonwood\/20160913_140645_29662033995_oBrittany.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"538\" alt=\"Brittany Walker Konsella mountain biking Arkansas Hills Cottonwood Tour in Salida, CO\" class=\"alignnone size-large\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/gallery\/salidacottonwood\/20160913_140026_29550861612_oBrittany.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" alt=\"Brittany Walker Konsella mountain biking Arkansas Hills Cottonwood Tour in Salida, CO\" class=\"alignnone size-large\" ><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/gallery\/salidacottonwood\/20160913_140033_29037312493_oBrittany.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" alt=\"Brittany Walker Konsella mountain biking Arkansas Hills Cottonwood Tour in Salida, CO\" class=\"alignnone size-large\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Larry.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/gallery\/salidacottonwood\/20160913_140416Larry.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" alt=\"Larry Fontaine mountain biking Arkansas Hills Cottonwood Tour in Salida, CO\" class=\"alignnone size-large\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Natalie.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/gallery\/salidacottonwood\/20160913_1429200Natalie.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" alt=\"Natalie Moran mountain biking Arkansas Hills Cottonwood Tour in Salida, CO\" class=\"alignnone size-large\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Then the front started to move our way.  It was a race to beat the rain.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/gallery\/salidacottonwood\/20160913_143925rainclouds.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" alt=\"Rainclouds in Salida, CO\" class=\"alignnone size-large\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Larry.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/gallery\/salidacottonwood\/20160913_144221Larry.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" alt=\"Larry Fontaine mountain biking Arkansas Hills Cottonwood Tour in Salida, CO\" class=\"alignnone size-large\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Sweet Dreams was beautiful and sweet. Natalie.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/gallery\/salidacottonwood\/20160913_1446250Natalie.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" alt=\"Natalie Moran mountain biking Arkansas Hills Cottonwood Tour in Salida, CO\" class=\"alignnone size-large\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/gallery\/salidacottonwood\/20160913_144634natalie.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" alt=\"Natalie Moran mountain biking Arkansas Hills Cottonwood Tour in Salida, CO\" class=\"alignnone size-large\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Me near the bottom.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/gallery\/salidacottonwood\/20160913_144747_29551077862_oBrittany.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" alt=\"Brittany Walker Konsella mountain biking Arkansas Hills Cottonwood Tour in Salida, CO\" class=\"alignnone size-large\" \/><\/p>\n<p>All in all, the Arkansas Hills have some pretty good trails and are rideable most of the year. So, if you&#8217;re looking for some desert riding this fall and spring, keep Salida in mind!<\/p>\n<hr>\n<p>The loop we rode, the Arkansas Hills Cottonwood Tour, can be found on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mtbproject.com\/trail\/6309603\" target=\"_blank\">Mountain Bike Project<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"\/\/www.avantlink.com\/link.php?ml=119785&amp;p=23393&amp;pw=29053\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Salida is probably more known for its riding off of Monarch Pass along the Monarch Crest.  While variations of the Monarch Crest are certainly awesome, Salida also has some great other riding options.  Back in mid-Septemeber a front was passing through and I didn&#8217;t want to ride in the pouring rain, or potentially snow, in Crested Butte.  I was looking for a good desert ride that was not too far away from home and the Arkansas Hills Trail System, off of the S-Mountain, fit the bill.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":423222,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-423213","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-biking"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/423213","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=423213"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/423213\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":423224,"href":"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/423213\/revisions\/423224"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/423222"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=423213"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=423213"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=423213"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}