MTB Project Logo

Grand views, fun flow, big vertical, and optional air time, all just minutes away from downtown Glenwood Springs!


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

3.4

Miles

5.5

KM

Singletrack

7,438' 2,267 m

High

5,908' 1,801 m

Low

0' 0 m

Up

1,530' 466 m

Down

9%

Avg Grade (5°)

26%

Max Grade (15°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Unknown

A strong recommendation: Until you know this trail well, watch your speed—there are surprises to be found! Pre-ride, Re-ride, Free-ride! And, be ready to yield to uphill trail users. A short portion of the trail - Lower Grandstaff - is well signed as downhill direction only, no uphill traffic. This is intended to reduce conflict on the most crowded portion of the mountain, closest to the trailhead... and to get most riders to climb the road up to the top instead of climbing up the trail.

Description

Grandstaff Trail is a worthy destination for everyone who appreciates big views, flowing dirt and rocky tread, bermed turns, optional air time, and yes, a bit of effort to reap a big reward. Climbing Red Mountain Jeanne Golay Trail (a gated 2WD road that quickly turns from pavement to dirt) is quickly becoming the preferred way to enjoy a descent on this trail.

While the trail is mostly open to two-way bike and foot traffic (except for "Lower" Grandstaff), and the open view corridors at most of the turns are meant to minimize conflict between uphill and downhill trail users, many local riders enjoy riding up Red Mountain Jeanne Golay Trail given its consistent grade and plenty of shady spots. Start from the Olsen Trail to add some fun flat mileage and avoid the small crowded trailhead parking.

Two historic upper trail segments have been improved with better turns, drainage, and plenty of optional rock jump features to roll or pop over. The remainder of the trail is professionally built, featuring a wide enough bench to allow for easy passing, and countless berms along with a handful of tight switchbacks. Grade reversals along the trail offer expert riders plenty of air time opportunities, and some of the berms even have optional high entry lines to help you keep your speed out of the turns.

Most of the trail is in thick oak brush terrain, with occasional massive views of downtown Glenwood Springs, the Roaring Fork and Colorado Rivers, the Flattops and even Mount Sopris in the distance. Evidence of the Red Mt. Ski Area that graced the lower slopes of the mountain from 1938 to 1966 is seen with the few chairlift towers that remain. The trail goes under one of these bright orange steel tower structures, which makes for a great photo op along your ride.

In addition to the Red Mountain Jeanne Golay Trail (road), you'll find another older singletrack route on the mountain. Now called the Cross Trail, this fall line trail intersects Grandstaff with four-way intersections five or six times. Use caution at these intersections as the Cross Trail is popular with hikers and runners looking for a steeper and rockier experiences. While the Cross Trail is open to bikes, most riders will keep to the flow, speed and fun turns of Grandstaff.

Any ride is not complete without a stop at the highpoint and panoramic views a couple hundred yards east of the top of the trail. Nearby, a tall steel cross hints at the long and interesting life of William Grandstaff, who prospected for gold in the area and passed away on the mountain in 1901.

Contacts

Shared By:

Mike Pritchard

Trail Ratings

  4.9 from 75 votes

#29

Overall
  4.9 from 75 votes
5 Star
91%
4 Star
8%
3 Star
1%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#8

in Colorado

#29

Overall
9 Views Last Month
11,119 Since Sep 26, 2017
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

0%
2%
24%
19%
54%
2%

Photos

Styling out some grade reversal air-time on the upper slopes of Red Mt. on Grandstaff Trail.
Sep 26, 2017 near Glenwoo…, CO
Big panoramic view near the cross on Red Mt. above Glenwood Springs
Sep 26, 2017 near Glenwoo…, CO
Fresh berm on lower middle Grandstaff Trail, with Roaring Fork River and Mount Sopris in the distance.
Sep 26, 2017 near Glenwoo…, CO
Looking towards the city of Glenwood while the valley opens up in the background hiding Aspen behind fog and mountain faces
Apr 20, 2021 near Glenwoo…, CO
Mount Sopris in the back
Jul 14, 2019 near Glenwoo…, CO
Looking out over Glenwood Springs, Mount Sopris in the distance on the right.
Oct 20, 2018 near Glenwoo…, CO
loading

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Bad / Closed 5 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.