Durango, Colorado Trail MTB evoTrip

Durango, Colorado Trail MTB evoTrip

If you're looking for the most extreme guided mountain biking tour in the Rockies, you've found it.

Durango, Colorado
Group Trip
Ability level: Intermediate, Advanced
Select Your Trip Package:

Questions? Let us help! Call us at 1-866-386-1590

Experience the jaw-dropping beauty of Western Colorado’s San Juan Range as we traverse, often high above tree line, the Colorado Trail from Molas Pass to Durango.

Take an exhilarating mountain biking adventure with our partners at Rim Tours along the renowned Colorado Trail from Silverton to Durango, Colorado. This guided journey offers riders the opportunity to traverse some of the most breathtaking alpine terrain in the San Juan Mountains, featuring continuous technical singletrack that defines backcountry mountain biking.  

As you navigate elevations ranging between 9,000 and 12,000 feet, you'll be rewarded with panoramic views of expansive basins adorned with wildflowers, dramatic red mountains, lush green forests, and serene alpine lakes. Each day presents an opportunity to enhance your riding skills amidst Colorado's stunning high country.  

Under the guidance of Rim Tours' experienced professional guides, you'll tackle demanding climbs and thrilling descents, culminating in a final day's exhilarating 5,000-foot descent into Durango. Evenings are spent at well-appointed campsites, where you can relax under the star-studded sky and share stories with fellow riders, immersing yourself in the camaraderie of this unforgettable journey.  

Prepare for an unparalleled biking experience that seamlessly combines adventure and natural beauty, in one of Colorado's most iconic landscapes.

This trip is designed for traditional analog mountain bikes—e-bikes are not permitted.
The trails are suitable for advanced and experienced mountain bikers who are fit and confident on technical terrain. Please see our FAQs for more details. 

Plans may evolve with weather & guides' judgement, we strive to find the best conditions each day

ITINERARY

Meet The Crew

Meet the group at 2:00pm in Durango at the Durango City Transit Center. We will then load our support vehicle and shuttle to our first night’s camp either at Little Molas Lake or Molas Lake for tonight's camp and a delicious dinner. Our camp is high (11,000 ft) so be sure to stay well hydrated leading up to the trip, as this will help you acclimate.

Ride: Arrival day - No riding today

Camp: Little Molas Lake or Molas Lake

Meals included: Dinner

Ride The Colorado Trail

After an early hearty breakfast, we start our ride along this western section of The Colorado Trail, which stretches 470 miles from Denver to Durango. This is some of the most beautiful single-track you will ever see. We pass beneath the Twin Sisters peaks on our way to Rolling Mountain Pass and ride the spectacular descent to Cascade Creek. We then travel towards Bolem Pass for our second camp at Celebration Lake. Today's ride is the toughest of the trip because we have 2 passes to climb. Highlights include the Cascade Creek drainage, with its abundance of wildflowers, and the views of spectacular Engineer Mt.

Ride: 21+ Miles up to an elevation of 12,400 ft.

Camp: Celebration Lake

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Go Deeper

Today we’ll continue on the Colorado Trail towards Hotel Draw over Blackhawk Pass, Our high point today. From the pass we begin an incredible descent towards Hotel Draw, one of the high points of the ride. Camp is along a ridge among the Douglas Firs with beautiful sunset views. Today's mileage is 18 miles, and we reach an elevation of 12,100 ft.

Ride: 18+ Miles

Camp: camp near Orphan Butte

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Take In The Views

Today’s ride traverses the spectacular Indian Ridge Trail and includes some short portage sections. The panoramic view of the entire San Juan range from the top is definitely worth the effort. Look carefully for Ptarmigans, a high alpine bird similar to grouse found among the tundra rocks. The trail races down from the high ridge to Kennebec Pass and our camp below. Mileage today is 16 miles, and the high point reaches 12,300 ft.

Ride: 16+ Miles

Camp: Below Kennebec

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Final Descent

Our final day's ride takes us down into Durango where we lose 5,000 ft. over 26 miles! There is one 1,000-ft. climb in the middle of the ride but that just means more descending! This is one of our favorite sections of trail in all of Colorado and we know you'll finish smiling. Be prepared to ride the 7 miles back into town where our cars are parked from the trailhead. It’s an easy cruise. Arrival back to Durango around 3:00 pm.

Ride: 25+ Miles

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

What’s Included

  • Campsite for 4 nights (camping gear not included) 
  • Meals as listed in itinerary (4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners) 
  • Experienced & certified guides 
  • Private transport for guests, including van-supported rides 
  • Water and snacks at all times 
  • One-time 20% off discount code for evo.com (some exclusions apply)
  • evo Members earn $100 in points to shop on evo.com (sign up here)

Not Included

  • Airfare​
  • Meals not listed in itinerary 
  • Travel insurance (we recommend World Nomads)
  • Mountain Bikes (bring your own or rent from Rim Tours, see the selection here)
  • Camping gear (can be rented, see our FAQs) 
  • Personal equipment (packing list will be provided) 
  • Gratuities for guides & drivers 

Questions? Call or email us!

What’s Included

  • Campsite for 4 nights (camping gear not included) 
  • Meals as listed in itinerary (4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners) 
  • Experienced & certified guides 
  • Private transport for guests, including van-supported rides 
  • Water and snacks at all times 
  • One-time 20% off discount code for evo.com (some exclusions apply)
  • evo Members earn $100 in points to shop on evo.com (sign up here)

Not Included

  • Airfare​
  • Meals not listed in itinerary 
  • Travel insurance (we recommend World Nomads)
  • Mountain Bikes (bring your own or rent from Rim Tours, see the selection here)
  • Camping gear (can be rented, see our FAQs) 
  • Personal equipment (packing list will be provided) 
  • Gratuities for guides & drivers 

Questions? Call or email us!

Location Details

The Colorado Trail is a premier long-distance trail extending approximately 486 miles from Denver to Durango, traversing some of the state's most stunning and rugged mountainous regions. It passes through eight mountain ranges, six National Forests, and six wilderness areas, offering a diverse array of ecosystems and breathtaking landscapes. Trail elevations range from about 5,500 feet near Denver to a high point of 13,271 feet, with much of the path situated above 10,000 feet.  

Mountain biking is permitted on most sections of the Colorado Trail, providing riders with a challenging and rewarding experience. The trail features over 300 miles of singletrack, encompassing a variety of terrains—from smooth, flowy paths to technical, rocky segments. Riders can expect steep climbs, thrilling descents, and sections that may require hike-a-bike due to their difficulty. The average elevation of 10,000 feet adds to the physical demands, making acclimatization essential. 

FAQs

Is my trip guaranteed to run?

No, please note there is a minimum number of guests required (4) for each departure to run. Please wait to make travel arrangements until you have received confirmation from Rim Tours or evoTrip.

I’m ready to book. What next? Can I pay a deposit only?

To secure your spot, you can either book online or contact Customer Care at 1.866.386.1590 to set up your booking. If you prefer to only pay the deposit of $200 per person, please call Customer Care to make payment. Full payment is due 60 days prior to departure.

What level of fitness, skill and experience is required for this trip?

This trip is designed for the advanced rider and is suitable for experienced mountain bikers only, with excellent fitness and strong bike handling skills. Riding is primarily on rugged 4wd doubletrack with frequent obstacles or high elevation singletrack. Sections of trail can be very challenging with frequent ascents and descents of significant length. Most of our advanced level tours are located at elevations ranging from 8,000 to 12,000 feet where trail conditions can change rapidly due to weather conditions and thunderstorms. This trip is designed for traditional analog mountain bikes / e-bikes are not permitted. If you have questions about your fitness or skill level, please call the Rim Tour's office 435-259-5223

What will my guides be like?

Our guides are passionate mountain bikers who have dedicated their lives to sharing the outdoors with others. They are Wilderness First Responders, chefs, bike mechanics and leaders. We are celebrating 40 years in 2025, and many of our guides have been with us for a substantial portion of that journey.

Can my dietary restrictions be accommodated?

Yes! If you have any allergies or food restrictions, please inform us prior to your departure. Our guides are always prepared to accommodate dietary restrictions and coordinate substitute meals for allergies.

What are the accommodations like?

This point-to-point tour features new high-elevation backcountry campsites each night. In keeping with our “Leave No Trace” principles, we use portable backcountry toilets—commonly known as “Groovers”

Can I choose my roommate?

Since this is a point-to-point camping trip, you can share a tent with your traveling partner if you wish. You can bring your own tent or request to rent a 2-man tent and camping gear from Rim Tours ($95/trip).

What if I’m a solo traveler? Can I get my own room/tent?

You can bring your own tent or rent a single occupancy tent and camping gear from Rim Tours for ($95/trip).

What gear should I bring? Should I bring my own bike/camping gear, or can I rent?

You will be sent a recommended packing list once you have booked. Bikes are not included in this trip, you can either bring your own or rent from Rim Tours (see the rental bikes & pricing here: https://rimtours.com/extend-your-ride-rental-bikes/). If you are bringing your own bike, the guides will help you put it together, so you are ready to go on day 1. Camping gear: It is not included in this trip, you can bring your own camping gear, or you can rent from Rim Tours. For $95/trip you can rent a tent, sleeping pad and sleeping bag. If you have any questions regarding bike or camping gear, please call the Rim Tour's office 435-259-5223

Is there a minimum age required for this trip?

Yes, 12 years old (with mountain biking experience).

What is transportation like?

Rim Tours utilizes Ford E350 shuttle vans equipped with custom roof and hitch racks, ensuring a smooth and comfortable ride to the trailheads. On day one, you will be shuttled riders to the start of the trail. The shuttle gains approximately 3500' from the finish point of the ride on day 4. There will also be a large 4x4 support vehicle carrying your gear between camps. It will not be available during the rides.

What will the weather be like?

In July and August, the Colorado Trail offers warm daytime temperatures, often reaching the 70s or 80s °F (21–27 °C), with nighttime temperatures dropping into the 40s °F (4–9 °C). However, at higher elevations, temperatures can be cooler, and snow is possible even during summer months. Afternoon thunderstorms are common during these months, bringing risks of lightning, especially in exposed, high-altitude areas. Hikers and bikers should plan to be below the treeline by early afternoon to mitigate these risks. The monsoon season typically occurs from early July through mid-August, characterized by heavy rainfall over short periods. These storms can lead to rapidly changing trail conditions, so it's essential to be prepared for sudden weather changes.

Should I tip my guides?

Yes, guide & driver gratuity is not included in your trip package and is recommended if you enjoyed your experience.

Should I purchase travel insurance?

YES! While it is not required, we always recommend purchasing travel insurance for all trips. Travel insurance allows you to seek reimbursement if you are forced to cancel your trip for unforeseeable reasons, or if you need to cover medical help, emergency transport, theft and/or accidental damage while traveling. We recommend World Nomads.

What if I need to change or cancel my trip?

evoTrip upholds Rim Tours' policies regarding cancellation. Rim Tours Standard Tour Cancellation policy: For Cancellations 61 days or more before the trip, deposit will be refunded minus a $50 Booking fee For Cancellations 60-31 days prior to departure, 50% refund will be given For Cancellations 30 days or less before departure, no refund will be given Disclaimer We do not make exceptions to the cancellation policy for any reason, including weather, wildfire, terrorism, civil unrest, epidemic, pandemic or personal emergencies. There is no refund for arriving late or leaving a trip early. We must adhere to our cancellation policy to protect our ability to run tours and to maintain our price structures. Please don’t ask us to make exceptions. We recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect your investment and researching plans that cover preexisting conditions and/or have a “Cancel for any Reason” clause. Rim Tours may cancel or reroute any tour in part or in whole due to acts of nature, trail conditions, insufficient number of participants, a force majeure that prohibits travel to or from a specific area, or other unforeseen circumstances that would hinder our ability to run a trip. Rim Tours will work with you to provide you with an alternate trip, though none of the reasons above except for insufficient number of participants would constitute a reason for any refund of monies paid. Rim Tours is not responsible for any additional expenses that may be incurred by a guest in relation to a cancelled or rerouted tour including costs incurred due to travel delays, flight cancellations, sickness and non-refundable air tickets and/or any penalties associated with such tickets. Trip Cancellation Rim Tours has a cancellation policy that we must abide by to protect our ability to continue offering trips, and to protect your tour in case others cancel. Unfortunately, cancellations do happen, sometimes within the period of time when we can’t offer a refund. In many of these instances, Trip Cancellation Insurance covers forfeited, non-refundable deposits or payments up to the limits purchased. Please consider protecting your investment! We often see last-minute cancellations due to illness or injury of the participant or a family member and all of this would be covered by trip insurance.