Top Colorado Trail Running Routes for Spring

Visit Fruita

DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU ARE IN COLORADO, TRAIL RUNNING CAN BE A YEAR-ROUND SPORT. BUT WHEN THE SNOW MELTS AND DESERT FLOWERS START BLOOMING, HITTING THE TRAILS IS A POPULAR SPRINGTIME ACTIVITY

Early spring opens up all kinds of routes, while later in spring, typically around May, runners can start hitting the trails at higher elevations. We’ve rounded up a few trails we’ll be checking out this spring.

MESA COUNTY

While wildflowers in the high alpine environments don’t appear until summer, Mesa County and other areas of relatively low elevation throughout the state are ripe with stunning flora and fauna throughout the spring months. The climate of Fruita in particular is mild and arid, making March - May the perfect time to visit before the desert summer sets in. Fruita also gets few rain showers so muddy trails usually aren’t an issue.

Some of the best trails in the area are in McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area. A favorite destination for trail runners around Mesa County, there are plenty of trails for all levels and abilities. For easier trails try Rabbits Ear Mesa Trail at 5.7 miles or Rustler’s Loop at 3.6 miles. For a longer and more difficult challenge, Mary’s Loop and Horsethief Bench Loop combine for a 12.4-mile trail that is of moderate difficulty. Another good route in the area is Devils Canyon Loop, a moderate 6.7-mile trail on the edge of McInnis Canyons.

Dirt Road Travels

DURANGO AREA

Moving on up in elevation is Durango. There are hundreds of trails in and around Durango, ranging from low lying to high alpine, so depending on when you want to venture out, you’ll find something.

If you’re up for a challenge and looking for a trail that can be accessed from town, look no further than Overend Mountain Park. Of the almost half dozen trails in the park, Hogsback is one of the most challenging. Accessed via Leyden Street, which is less than 1.5 miles from Durango’s main drag, and then part of Perin’s Gulch Trail (the trail can also be accessed via Brown’s Ridge Trail), the 1.1-mile trail isn’t for the faint of heart.

The steep trail rewards those who make it to the summit with amazing views of Durango. Another great trail in town is the Animas River Trail. The 10-mile trail is pretty much flat and follows the Animas River along a hard surface shared-use path. Accessed via various points, the trail is popular with everyone. Durango also serves as the end (or start) of the 486-mile Colorado Trail. Perhaps Durango’s best trail resource is local nonprofit Trails 2000.

ASPEN / SNOWMASS AREA

For a taste of the mountains, the Aspen area offers gorgeous scenery with an altitude that is a bit lower than many alpine areas at 8,000 feet in town.

Sunnyside Trail is a moderate to intermediate trail that you can hike or mountain bike. The 10-mile, dogfriendly trail connects Red Mountain to the Hunter Creek Valley and starts at 7,800 feet. From the trail you can see amazing views of Aspen as well as the surrounding mountains. Access is from Cemetery Lane or, if you’re coming the opposite way, from Hunter Creek. When you can access the entire trail depends on the snow, but typically by mid-May the first part of the trail will be clear and then as the weather warms up more and more of the trail opens up, with the entire trail usually being clear by mid-June.

Another truly outstanding area is Conundrum Creek in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. A difficult 8.5-mile trail up Conundrum Creek Valley, this is really only suitable for more advanced runners mainly because the trail gains 2,500 ft in elevation. Of course, you don’t have to go the whole way, just know your limits. There are also three river crossings, the third of which doesn’t have a bridge, so extreme caution is strongly advised. Mt. Hayden looms at the start of the hike followed by views of Cathedral Peak, Conundrum Peak and Castle Peak. Conundrum hot springs is eight miles into the trail.