“The guides have been all exceedingly friendly, helpful, and genuinely fun to be around, especially to my son, whose first question upon returning home is always, "Where are we going next year?" ”
NICA - Durango
Dates Available
- Jul 7, 2013 - Jul 12, 2013
- Jul 14, 2013 - Jul 19, 2013
NICA Training Camps offered by Western Spirit Cycling
Western Spirit is teaming up with NICA to create week long training camps for high school mountain bikers from ages 15 to 18, both girls and boys. Camps will be held in Durango, Colorado and Sun Valley, Idaho. Students will experience the NICA training curriculum while camping in the great outdoors. Interspersed between rides will be discussions about nutrition and training, along with the natural and cultural history of the areas where they are riding.
Also known as the "American Alps" the San Juans are stunning, their weather cool, their air clean, and the camping some of our most beautiful. Singletrack on this tour includes the beautiful East Fork Trail, Relay Creek, and the grand finale on the remarkable Hermosa Creek Trail.
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NICA - Durango Itinerary
If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to call us at 1-800-845-2453 or email biking@westernspirit.com.
MEETING TIME AND PLACE
The trip will meet at 7:30am MST at Hassle Free Sports, 2615 Main Ave, Durango, Colorado, 970-259-3874. We will load up the truck and then drive the 3 hours to Telluride to begin our ride. You will need to spend the night before in Durango.
ENDING TIME AND PLACE
We will return to Durango between 4:00-5:00 pm on the last day.
ITINERARY
TRIP DAY 1
After meeting in Durango, we'll load up and shuttle 2-1/2 hours to Telluride. On the way we'll drive through the historic mining town of Rico, over 10,222 foot Lizard Head Pass, and beneath the 14,000 foot peaks of El Diente and Mt. Wilson. From Telluride we'll ride the gondola with our bikes up and out of town to the ski area's core at Mt. Village. Once we're on our bikes again a 2,000 foot descent on singletrack awaits, plunging us into the Ilium Valley where we'll have lunch. The remainder of the day will be spent climbing beneath the trees on the Galloping Goose railroad grade. At a consistent 3% grade the "Goose" climbs 2,200 feet topping out in an alpine meadow where we will camp for the night. TOTAL MILEAGE - 26 miles
TRIP DAY 2
Our route this morning follows the difficult East Fork Trail up the headwaters of the Dolores River. This roadless drainage is extremely beautiful as it traverses high meadows beneath the towering peaks of the San Juan Mountains. The trail is fairly primitive and discretionary riders may want to walk some short sections. The East Fork Trail eventually intersects an old doubletrack that we'll follow to our Bolam Pass camp. From this 11,000 foot elevation camp, fine views of Graysill Mountain and the La Plata mountains dominate the skyline. After setting up our tents, an optional ride to Sliderock Pass on the Colorado Trail is available. Celebration Lake is near camp, where the hardy can enjoy a truly refreshing dip in the afternoon. TOTAL MILEAGE - 8-16 miles
TRIP DAY 3
Today we'll join the alpine singletrack of the Colorado Trail for a spectacular ride at an altitude few people ever reach on their bikes. The Colorado Trail offers incredible wilderness scenery and runs nearly 500 miles from Denver to Durango. From camp the trail begins by winding around the slopes of Hermosa Peak before ascending 12,000 foot Blackhawk Pass. There will be some short hike-a-bikes on this section, which offer a chance to stretch our legs and enjoy the far reaching views from this high elevation trail. At the pass we'll have a snack, and maybe a nap, and begin our ride back on the same trail to our camp at Bolam Pass. This layover day gives us a great opportunity to choose this challenging ride or take in a midweek day of relaxation at our high mountain camp. TOTAL MILEAGE - 15 miles, shorter options possible
TRIP DAY 4
Another great ride awaits us today. We will start our ride with the Relay Creek Trail, a singletrack that traverses the base of Graysill Mountain. From the trail we'll pick up a dirt road to our lunch spot. This will set us up to ride part of the mountain bike trail system at Durango Mountain Resort, home of the 1990 mountain bike world championships. Our camp tonight is in beautiful Hermosa Park, just above our last ride. TOTAL MILEAGE - 19-26 miles
TRIP DAY 5
The Hermosa Creek Trail is considered one of the best singletrack in the Rockies. Although we are almost always losing elevation on this 18 mile trail, it is a challenging workout. Beginning in the open meadows of Hermosa Park, we ride beside Hermosa Creek for a few miles before the creek drops away from the trail. The singletrack threads through large stands of aspens and conifers. After intersecting Dutch Creek we will begin a short, but strenuous climb. Some of the best riding of the day occurs after the climb, as we roll along at a fairly steady elevation, high above the roaring creek. Once we reach the trailhead, we'll descend the four miles to the highway and the final two miles to Trimble Hot Springs. We'll stop here for a well deserved soak. After our soak, we'll shuttle into Durango where our journey will end. TOTAL MILEAGE - 19 miles of unsupported singletrack to 6 miles on paved road.
TERRAIN
Riding Surface: Singletrack on clay, packed sediment, some rocky sections, pine needles, smooth dirt and short sections of county roads and asphalt.
Technical Difficulty: Moderate to difficult. Technical singletracks (narrow trails), lots of obstacles.
Physical Difficulty: Moderate to difficult. High altitudes, (over 10,000 feet), steep climbs and long unsupported sections.
Altitude: 8,000 - 12,000 feet.
Please Note: This tour contains some very difficult riding on narrow, steep mountain trails. A high level of skill and fitness is required to enjoyably navigate much of the route. We will be without vehicle support during all of the singletrack sections of the ride and medical help is far away. Please call us and we can help you determine whether this trip is appropriate for you. Itineraries are subject to change due to weather, road conditions, rider safety, and other factors which may affect the logistics of the adventure.
TRAVEL LOGISTICS
GETTING TO DURANGO
-Driving
Durango is located in southwestern Colorado. It is a 6 hour drive from Denver via Interstate 25 to US 160. From Grand Junction, Colorado it is a 4 hour drive via US 50 and 550. There is parking available.
-Flying into Durango
This is the most direct way to get to Durango. America West, Mesa and United fly into Durango.
TAXI SERVICE
Durango Transportation 970-259-4818 or 800-626-2066
Airport Shuttles are $30 each way and you need to reserve your seat at least 2 hours in advance. They also have a taxi service which will help you get to Mountain Bike Specialists in the morning, please call ahead.
LODGING
It is a good idea to book your rooms ahead and these are our recommendations.
Comfort Inn
$120-159
970-259-5373 or 800-228-5150
Best Western Durango Inn
$150-200
970-247-3251 or 800-547-9090
Best Western Mountain Shadows
$140-170
970-247-5200 or 800-521-5218
Budget Inn
$65-90
800-257-5222
Super 8
$100-120
800-800-8000, 970-259-0590
Durango Central Reservations
800-525-0892
Above rates are approximate.
WEATHER
There are really just two kinds of weather: weather you like and weather you do not like. Come prepared for both and you won't care what the weather does.
If you have questions about temperatures for your specific trip please feel free to give us a call 800-845-2453 or email us at biking@westernspirit.com. We will be happy to give you packing suggestions and help you with ideas for things to do before and after your bike trip.
PACKING FOR YOUR TRIP
You will receive a tour packing list with your tour confirmation package. Be sure to bring everything on this list. Weather in the mountains can be unpredictable so be sure to bring all the warm clothing and rain gear listed! When you arrive for your tour, we will give you a dry bag in which to pack your gear. If you have any questions about anything on the list, please call us.
SHIPPING YOUR BIKE
You are welcome to ship your bike to us in advance of your trip. For a moderate fee we will unpack it, build it, and ship it back home to you afterwards. Bikes can be insured to $4,000. Domestic shipping only. If you decide you want to go this route, you must call us in advance of your trip so we can inform the shop that your bike is on its way.
To ship your bike UPS, send it to Hassle Free Sports, 2615 Main Ave. Durango, CO 81301; 970-259-3874. It is critical that you include your name, "Western Spirit Cycling" and tour date on the outside of the box. Check with your local UPS people for the number of days needed for it to arrive in time. There is no Saturday delivery to Durango. It is imperative to have your bike finely tuned and cleaned before your tour so you know it is in top running condition.
If you have any other questions about trip logistics, please feel free to send us an email or, better yet, to call us at 800-845-2453. We will be happy to try to help you answer any other questions you might have about our bike trips.
THINGS TO DO
RESTAURANTS
BREAKFAST
The Durango Diner, 957 Main St - a local's favorite
Carver's Restaurant and Bakery, 1022 Main St - awesome bakery and full breakfast (great for lunch or dinner too)
LUNCH
The Bridge Café, Main St and Camino Del Rio - a great outdoor spot for lunch
DINNER
Ore House, 147 E. College Dr - our favorite Western steak place
Gaspacho, 431 E. 2nd Ave - traditional northern Mexican Cuisine
Ariano's, 150 E. College Dr - excellent Italian
BOOKS
Our two favorite books about the area are:
Tomboy Bride by Harriet Fish Backus and Pam Houston
A Woman's Personal Account of Life in Mining Camps of the West. This can be found at http://www.amazon.com/.
Durango and Silverton Narrow Guage: A Quick History by Duane A. Smith
which can be found at http://www.colorado2.com/ search for Durango.
MAPS
Your guides will have all the maps necessary for your trip. If you would like your own copy for a souvenir, here is all the info:
National Geographic Trails Illustrated map #504 Durango Area
This can be found at www.shop.nationalgeographic.com. Go to Maps and Atlases and then to Trail Maps.
ACTIVITIES
RIDES
Stop by our favorite bike shop, Mountain Bike Specialists at 949 Main Street. They have a great map table with pictures and directions to all the local rides. Their super friendly staff will help you pick a ride and point you in the right direction.
RIVER TRIPS
Southwest Whitewater, 1430 Main, 970-259-8313 - these folks run both day trips and overnights.
Rivers West, 520 Main, 800-622-0852 - give them a call to check their schedule.
THE TRAIN MUSEUM
The Durango Silverton Narrow Guage Railroad and Museum is at 479 Main Street, 970-247-2733.
There are daily scenic train excursions on the Historic Steam Powered Coal Fired Locomotives from Durango to Silverton and back. It is a beautiful trip, but quite a long day to go to Silverton and come back in the same day. If time permits spending a night in Silverton would be fun!
SHOPPING
Main Street in Durango - Many of Durango's best shops can be reached by strolling down Main Street. You can find everything from silver Navajo jewelry to toy cowboys and Indians.