I’ve never heard anyone mention a reputable stat for total trail mileage in the Salida area. Hikers must be careful to stay on the trail as it crosses private property. Known collectively as “The Power of Four,” Aspen’s major peaks – Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Snowmass and Buttermilk – are home to more than 300 ski trails, 42 lifts and a slew of powder-based activities. It is steady uphill with switchbacks, 0.9 miles, and 1,000 vertical feet to a rock outcropping. The close proximity of Aspen to four unique mountain areas means the town is the ideal hub for the avid explorer. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page. Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Location: The trail begins at the off-highway vehicle (OHV)/snowmobile staging area parking lot located in the southwest corner of the park. Surely we should be talking about going for a ride and forget about cars. If you’re planning to take the whole family out for a ride, you can even book everyone’s gear in advance. The far gentler Highland Bowl draws the Highlands’ biggest crowds. Take to the 60 miles of snow-shoe and cross-country ski trails of the Aspen Nordic Trail System, or join a guided snow-shoeing tour with the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies. To the west nothing for over 150 miles. The first half of the Rim Trail in Snowmass is another great spot for beginners to test their skills. Factoring in doubletrack trails that aren’t rated for jeep or car usage adds another 60+ miles and there are, quite literally, thousands of miles of dirt two wheel drive and 4×4 roads in our town’s radius. If you really want stats that are meaningful to at least some of us some of the time, you’d want data on (1) unpaved roads, doubletrack, singletrack one-way and singletrack both ways, (2) technical rating for each type of track, which is really often just a way of saying how fast can you go along it, (3) climb, and (4) number of intersections and perhaps a distribution statistic. The Little Nell: Set at the base of the Silver Queen Gondola and offering ski-in/out access to Ajax, this luxury hotel has the best location in downtown Aspen. Interiors of public spaces, including the on-site cocktail bar, are designed by Kelly Wearstler, and the on-site restaurant, 8K, serves three meals daily. Elevation: 10,000 – 12,300 ft. Rates start at $607. Aspen Snowmass Bike Pros will outfit you with the more heavy duty gear needed for downhill riding and will coach you through the technique. Miles one way: 6.8 Elevation: 9,400 – 11,400 ft. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. It is designed to give the blind hiker a feel for the outdoors. If he had said “70 miles of singletrack” I might have been impressed, but the way this is written El Paso could just as easily have 5 miles of singletrack and 130 miles of dirt roads! Below you will find a list of trails, or visit the National Forest website for more information. For nightlife, catch an emerging or big-name rock act at the Belly Up, or head up to Snowmass’ Elk Camp for an Ullr Night. The marketer or writer might need to consult a plethora of maps, many of which might not even have official mileage stats listed on them. Seasonally, visitors enjoy wildflower and wildlife viewing, hiking, trail biking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling (South Road Winter Trail only). Please turn on JavaScript and try again. This season, though, Snowmass has introduced a new attraction: the 230-acre Burnt Mountain area, with runs geared largely toward intermediate skiers. As there are many spurs that can lead to one getting lost, a topographical map is recommended. There are so many things to see and do in Aspen, CO. Over the years, Aspen has also become the destination of choice for a memorable mountainside vacation. Dogs are allowed on all trails but MUST BE leashed. St. Regis Aspen: This luxurious 154-room mountain lodge offers signature butler service for guests in its 12 suites, as well as a fully-stocked library for guests who want to curl up around the fire with a good book instead of hitting the slopes. With three access points, two new advanced trails—Airline and the downhill-only Deadline—and awesome views, it’s a crucial link in the valley’s rapidly expanding trail system. Just looking at the Strava Heatmap you can see there is lots of concentrated biking activity spread across the province. Every destination arrives at their statistic in a different way. However, because this mountain is set 11 miles from downtown Aspen, it often has the least traffic. The natural hot springs is at the end of a gently rising 8.8 miles. There are two hot tubs by the heated pool, and a Reméde Spa with an oxygen lounge. Throughout the rest of this article I will argue for a more standardized approach to attaining a respectable stat for trail mileage in a given destination. Stipulating a driving distance is rather defeating the object of the ride isn’t it? This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. It is now more than just a ski town and offers a variety of vacation options. Where should the data be drawn from? Camping around the hot springs is limited. IMBA Epics | Timpanogos is a huge mountain, extending almost seven miles in a north to south direction with many of its peaks reaching over the 11000 foot mark. Just steps from the Elk Mountain Gondola, the resort offers ski-in/out access to Snowmass. © 2020 THE POINTS GUY, LLC. This 2,500-acre open space parcel between Aspen and Snowmass features about 8 miles of singletrack trails built by local mountain bikers. Throughout the year, guests can enjoy one of the many weekend events and things to do in Aspen. The first two miles of the trail are paved. Heck, why not make difficulty a factor too? While we do catalogue dirt roads in the Singletracks database, those listings exist primarily as a resource for the locals. Trails along most every stream and river in downtown Denver. WiFi is complimentary, and all kid-friendly condos feature kitchens, fireplaces and either balconies or patios. The Limelight: This pet-friendly, casual and modern hotel is set across the street from Wagner Park and three blocks from Ajax. Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. 22 messages are provided along the trail in both braille and in print. Nylon cord guides are provided for the blind. This trail is fairly steep as it goes through varying terrain along East Snowmass Creek.