Riding the Mineral Belt Trail in Leadville, CO.

We drove the 2.5 hours from C. Springs up to Leadville, CO. on Friday, Sept. 7th. to ride the Mineral Belt Trail. This trail "surrounds" the town of Leadville, starts at 10,000ft. and summit's at 10,606ft. The trail is paved, (asphalt), pretty smooth and almost 12 miles round trip. We started at the Ice Palace Park Trail Head, going out, "clockwise", (less total uphill), the trail is 12-14ft. wide and allows NO motorized vehicles! It inclines as you head east then south thru forest of pines and aspen's, some turning the GOLD color of Fall already! Old Leadville was famous for Gold and Silver mines in it's heyday so there is examples of mines, equipment, etc., with information boards all along the trail, the trail and the town are "surrounded" by the Collegiate Peaks Mountain Range, most over 14,000ft. The views are spectacular, we as usual took our time and smelled the pines, LOL, we avg'ed, 5 mph with a top speed of 21 mph on the fast long down hill run, (could have gone a LOT faster but we are careful not to get stupid and hurt!!!!), the last part of the down hill are a series of "sharp, S-shaped corners, FUN, heading back into town. We had a GREAT time, what a way to end the summer season of riding, heading into Fall! Note: I took 69 photos, I'll show a few here, pls. check out our Trike Blog link in my signature for more photos!

 

Wow those are some nice photos. Looks like a fun place to ride.

 

It's a great ride and the town of Leadville, CO. is very small and laid back, lot's of restaurants, the Tabor Opera House, gift shops and rustic motel/hotel's. They have LOTS of MTB off road trails in the area. The mountains surround the whole town so every where you look is a vista! LOL, if you need more miles, then just ride the loop counter clockwise for a whole different set of views. From here head a few miles up to Glenwood Springs, CO. and ride the 84 mile long Rio Grande Trail to Aspen or the 32 mile (both RT mileage), Glenwood Canyon Trail, both sweet trails. Or ride the Vail Pass Trail, (lot's of uphill grade!!), very easy area to spend a couple of week vacation!

 

I am envious of your views and that trail!

 

Me too! Looks like a great ride!

 

LOL, well it's about time, I see all the GREAT looking trails you all have in TN. and I'm the one who's in ENVY! The last time we rode that trail was 2005 so it's been a LONG time, forgot how nice it was, thanks!

 

... and speaking of Tennessee trails, there is a ride scheduled for tomorrow, Sept 14th, on the Mountain Goat Trail by the Mid-TN Recumbent group. Ride will leave the Sewanee trailhead at 9:15 am, weather permitting .... just a warm-up get together ahead of the Tennessee Rally in Murfreesboro on Saturday and Sunday. I hope to go assuming that I can get some rear derailleur glitches sorted out this morning ... about a dozen or so riders registered.

Fuzzy

 

Another one for the bucket list!

 

That Bucket List keeps getting LONGER and I don't get any younger or any richer, RATS!!!