Durango in 3 Days: Horse Gulch to Hermosa Creek
Durango rewards riders who respect the altitude. This three-day plan starts you on in-town singletrack to get your lungs sorted, then works up to the classic Hermosa Creek descent by day three. Ride mornings in summer, because the monsoon builds most afternoons.
The plan
Shake out at altitude in Horse Gulch, pedal the Dry Fork to High Point loop on the Colorado Trail, then shuttle the Hermosa Creek descent.
Shake out the legs in Horse Gulch
Morning: Roll from downtown to the Horse Gulch trailhead at 8th Ave and 3rd Street. Free parking and a self-service repair station in the lot, which tells you plenty about this town. The first half-mile is a climb most people spin or walk, then the meadow opens up with signed loops. Warm up on the Meadow Loop, then link Stacey's Loop for some intermediate flow.
Afternoon: If the legs feel good at altitude, add Telegraph and Grandview Ridge for tech, or session Skull Rock as a test piece. Keep it short today. You want to be fresh for the bigger rides coming.
Eats: Carver Brewing Company on Main Ave, the cycling community's living room in town. Breakfast here is legit if you want to fuel before you ride.
Dry Fork to High Point on the Colorado Trail
Morning: Drive to the Dry Fork trailhead on CR 208, off Lightner Creek Rd from Hwy 160. Climb Dry Fork at a gentle grade through scrub oak and pine, mostly smooth singletrack, then connect to the Colorado Trail and pedal to High Point at 9,560 feet.
Afternoon: From High Point, descend the CT toward Junction Creek for about 10 miles of fast, flowy singletrack. Stop at Gudy's Rest around mile 14.6. If it rained recently, watch the shale paste on Dry Fork, because it cakes your tires and drivetrain.
Eats: Steamworks Brewing Company on E 2nd Ave, the default post-ride spot where muddy jerseys blend right in. Grab the patio if it's packed.
Shuttle the Hermosa Creek descent
Morning: Book a shuttle with Hermosa Tours to the Hermosa Park Road trailhead above Purgatory. Call ahead, because they run on demand and don't always have shuttles going. The first 6.5 miles are gently descending doubletrack shared with motos, then it narrows to singletrack for the rest of the 19 miles.
Afternoon: Two creek crossings are unavoidable, and in early season they run deep enough to soak your kit. There's no resupply on the whole ride, so carry enough water for all 19 miles. It ends at the lower Hermosa Creek trailhead off CR 203.
Eats: Ska Brewing at 225 Girard St, a few minutes west of downtown. Taproom only with rotating food trucks. Order a Modus Hoperandi to close out the trip.
Pro tips
- •Ride mornings in July and August. Monsoon thunderstorms build most afternoons, and you do not want to be caught out when they roll in.
- •Altitude and dry air dehydrate you fast. Carry 3L for Hermosa Creek, since there is no water on trail except the creek itself, which you would need to treat.
- •Book the Hermosa Tours shuttle ahead at (877) 765-5682. They run on demand, and same-day availability is not guaranteed.
This is a proven template. The planner will tune it to your days, skill, and what you want to ride in about ten seconds.
Build a custom Durango plan →