Mountain Biking in Aspen and Snowmass

Aspen

Crystal and Lead King Basin is a scenic 16-mi loop on four-wheel-drive roads surrounded by the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. The first 6 moderate mi get you to the ghost mine of Crystal. You can turn back here, or tackle the rugged, remaining 2 mi and enjoy views from the 10,800-foot summit. Keep your eyes out for bouncing jeeps behind you. Trailhead:. From north side of Beaver Lake in Marble, continue driving up Forest Service Rd. 314 (Daniel's Hill). The ride begins wherever you park.

Aspen Sports (408 E. Cooper Ave. 970/925-6331) has the area's widest selection of rental bikes, including tandems and all types of carriers for kids. Blazing Adventures (555 E. Durant Ave. 970/923-4544 or 800/282-7238) leads downhill bicycle tours through Aspen and the surrounding valleys. The Hub of Aspen (315 E. Hyman Ave. 970/925-7970) offers rental bikes.

Snowmass

Aspen Skiing Company (97 Lower Mall, Snowmass Village Mall. 970/925-1220) can give you a map of area trails, including the terrain park accessed by the Burlingame Lift. The company can also sell you a lift ticket so you won't have to ride uphill. Aspen Sports (70 Snowmass Village Mall. 970/923-6111) has the widest selection of rental bikes in town, plus carriers for the kids.

Glenwood Springs

Though it's a shame that I-70 heads through the spectacular depths of Glenwood Canyon, the busy corridor has opened up this gorge to biking. The Glenwood Canyon Bike Path,a concrete path sandwiched between the Colorado River and the freeway traffic, runs 34.6 mi from Dotsero east to Glenwood Springs. Fortunately, the path generally runs below, and out of sight of, the interstate and the roar of the river drowns out the sound of traffic. Because of the mild climate on Colorado's Western Slope, the trail can be ridden almost year-round. The concrete path also has several dirt spurs that head up into White River National Forest for hikers and mountain bikers. A choice ride is the 18-mi round-trip from Glenwood Springs east up to Hanging Lake where you can leave your bike and hike a steep mile (climbing 900 feet) to the beautiful lake. Horseshoe Bend, 2 mi from the Vapor Caves, is a perfect picnic spot since the highway ducks out of sight into a series of tunnels. Trailhead:. enter path from either Yampah Hot Springs Vapor Caves in Glenwood Springs or farther west on I-70 at the Grizzly Creek rest area.

Sunlight Ski and Bike Shop (309 9th St., . 970/945-9425) rents mountain and comfort bikes; $5 per hour, $15 for four hours, or $20 for the day.