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Summit County Bike Guide: Burro Trail (video)

Summit Daily staff report
The Burro Trail is accessible from the Peak 9 base area as well as the Spruce Creek trailhead.
Mark Fox / Summit Daily File Photo

By the numbers

Distance: 3.2 miles

Rating: Moderate-more difficult

Time: 45 minutes to 1 hour

Elevation: 9,840-10,640 feet

Type: Out-and-back, trail

Season: Mid-June to early October

SUMMIT DAILY — The singletrack at Breckenridge Resort is anything but smooth and perfectly manicured — and that’s just how riders like it. Found right at the base of Peak 9, the Burro Trail features gradual (but often rocky) climbs along creeks and through dense forest to the Spruce Creek drainage. It’s a prototypical Breck technical trail, filled with rocks, roots and an occasional unexpected incline. The route seems simple enough from an elevation standpoint — it only gains 860 vertical feet — but the long, sustained rocky sections make it a challenging and rewarding ride for anyone looking to fine-tune their technical prowess. For a longer ride, it can be combined with trails around Spruce Creek.

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Know before you go



This trail can be crowded with hikers and cyclists, especially on weekends. Expect people at blind corners and be prepared to ride slowly and yield frequently. Although it looks dry in the middle of summer, this trail is heavily shaded takes a while to lose winter snow. Avoid it in early summer after snowmelt. It is also best to wait a day after heavy rains. The elevation gains are moderate, but several very rocky sections require technical riding ability. Expect to walk at least once or twice.

Description

From the paved lot at Beaver Run Resort, turn right onto the dirt ski area access road and climb under a chairlift. Almost immediately, turn left through a rail rence onto the Burro Trail (marked by a U.S. Forest Service sign). Cross a small bridge over a creek and climb along the trail as it parallels the creek.

Side trails forking left and right make navigation a bit confusing, but the main route is relatively well-worn and far easier to climb than the overgrown side trails. At 1.5 miles the trail eventually veers away from the creek, meanders through a roller-coaster section of forest, then enters the first portion of rocky climbs. These climbs over boulders and roots continue for the remainder of the ride. The singletrack gradually widens around mile 2 when it connects with a dirt road.

When the trail widens, bear slightly left onto the road and ride across 1 mile of extremely rocky trails as it climbs gradually along a hillside. Continue until the trail merges with Spruce Creek Road. Return as you came, or turn left at the Spruce Creek Road intersection for another rocky (but more forgiving) 4.5-mile ride to the Spruce Creek Trailhead.

Parking

From Interstate 70, drive south to Breckenridge on Highway 9. Follow Highway 9 right through the roundabout on the north end of town. Drive south past the City Market and gondola parking lots on Highway 9/Park Avenue until you reach Village Road. Turn right and follow the road about 1/4-mile to the large paved lot next to Beaver Run Resort.


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