Georgia Pass with Jefferson Creek 07/21

Amber and I headed up to do Georgia Pass. We had tried this ride 3 or 4 times before and never finished it. Once was because of a storm as we approached the treeline, the other times were simply because we came to early in the season and there was still to much snow.

This time we got a nice early start - and what a reward. The riding on this section of the Colorado trail and then back down Jefferson Creek is just amazingly fun. It is entirely likely we will go back and do it again next weekend it was that much fun.

This ride is typically done by starting at Kenosha Pass, but we opted to start down near Jefferson Creek as a big part of the section over near Kenosha is hot and exposed and it was a really hot day. I also wanted to make sure we got to beat the afternoon storms so eliminating 5 or so miles of the trail was what we did.)

We joined the trail about a mile before the Jefferson Creek road and this section is fun and technical as well. (there is a dirt road that weekend campers use that lets you access the trail without having to pay the usage fee that is required if you drive in along Jefferson creek road).

I didn't get many photos of the climb up, but it is actually pretty fun climbing. There is some nice technical sections but mostly you just get to sit and pedal. The climb from Jefferson Creek road to where we took the trail down Jefferson Creek is about 6 miles of climbing.


We played leap frog with a fairly big group of nice guys who were doing the ride as a point to point from Kenosha across to Breckenridge. That also seems like it would be an excellent option but a bit more involved with a very long shuttle drive. Being Colorado their group ranged from people on Nomad's and 575's to single speed full rigid. (of course the guy on the single speed was way out in front on the climbing)


Once you break out of the tree line the views start. Both Amber and I were fading by the time we were above the tree line and breaks became more common to recover your breath. (you are above 11K once you clear the tree line)


Just after the junction with the Jefferson Creek trail you are greeted with a sight that can only make any mountain biker ecstatic. Thin single track that drops down and travels beneath a huge bowl. It was a great section of riding that was fun, fast and technically enjoyable as well. It is hard to see in the photo but the trail dives down and runs parallel all the way under the snow line.


Amber on the last section above the tree line.

Once you enter the dark timber the trail steepens up significantly and the riding is (still) amazingly fun.


There is a section of many switch backs - most of which were really steep and, mostly we couldn't ride them. There was also a section in these switch backs with a number of fallen trees that you needed to lift your bike over or drag it under) Still some great riding even with the disruptions.


Once you are out of the switch backs the trail just is awesome. It actually reminded me of some of the (natural) trails in British Columbia. Great riding with roots and rocks that needed you to keep momentum.


It was hard to stop and take photos.


Towards the bottom you started to get wetter sections again and logs had been laid a long time ago to stabilize the trail and they were also great fun to ride over.

The Jefferson Creek trail is about 5 miles of descent and is easily one of the most fun sections of single track I have ridden in Colorado. This is a must do ride and having it as a reward after climbing to Georgia Pass is most excellent.