Kennebec Pass (Colorado Trail)
The big one: 31 miles and 7,000 feet of descent from 11,700 feet to Durango on the Colorado Trail. Alpine scree fields, forest singletrack, and endless views of the La Platas.
Trail beta
Shuttle drops you at or near Kennebec Pass (11,700 ft). The initial descent is steep, fast scree, unlike anything else around Durango. You'll drop 3,250 vertical feet to Junction Creek, then face a ~1,000-foot climb to High Point before the descent resumes. From High Point it's a flowing 10-mile, 2,500-foot descent through forest to the Junction Creek trailhead. At trail junctions in the final miles, stay on the Colorado Trail (pass all right turns). Total ride is ~31 miles. Bring layers: it can be 40F at the top and 85F in Durango.
When to go
Snow-free window is typically July through September only. The pass sits at 11,700 feet and holds snow well into summer. Afternoon monsoon thunderstorms in July-August: exposed above treeline, so start early and plan to be below 11,000 feet by noon.
Shuttle
Shuttle or high-clearance 4x4 to Kennebec Pass. The road climb from the 2WD parking area adds ~2,500 vertical feet. Most riders shuttle.