Information & Conditions: Strand Hill

Updated 7/4/10

Status: Good to Go!

Current Conditions: Farris Creek Road is closed. Access this route via the Canal Trail and Strand Bonus.

Detailed Description:

Strand Hill is a delightful, shorter ride that never ceases to please. Strand Hill is a popular after work ride with the locals, for all the right reasons.

This ride starts off Brush Creek Road. You can ride the pavement on Highway 135 south two miles from town to Brush Creek Road (or the bike trail that parallels the highway), or ride Tony’s Trail and The Upper Loop or The Upper Upper Loop and/ or Whetstone Vista to get out to Brush Creek via singletrack.

Three and 1/2 miles out Brush Creek Road from it’s intersection with Hwy 135, Farris Creek Road climbs up a hill to the right. There is a sign for Farris Creek and Cold Springs Ranch, and a fence to cross. This is a private access area. Respect it! Climb up this steep and rough road 3/4 of a mile until it splits. Left and up is Strand Hill ride.

A short way up, you will pass the Strand Bonus Trail on the left. If you’ve had enough climbing, you can turn here. This is a wonderful and smooth trail, and ends on the Canal Trail, where a left would take you back to Brush Creek Road.

To continue to the Strand Hill trail, stay with the road. Ride uphill, through a gate (please close it behind you,) and a tough final climb will bring you to a distinct signed singletrack on the left. This is only about 1/2 mile past the Strand Bonus Trail. Take a break here in the meadow before starting down; you’ve earned it, and you’re about to get your reward.

This singletrack is about as much fun as you can have on a bike. After a wonderful downhill romp in the aspens, the trail drops between some tight aspens and over a short rocky section, makes a hard right turn and climbs a short steep hill. About one hundred yards after this the trail intersects the Canal Trail. Turn left here for some more fast singletrack in the sagebrush, cross an irrigation ditch and end on Brush Creek Road. Left on Brush Creek Road takes you back out to the highway. You can also ride a little more singletrack on the way back: The Upper Upper Loop, Whetstone Vista and the Upper Loop via Skyland all connect to Tony’s Trail for more fun on the way back to crested Butte.