Bikepacking The Colorado Trail: Silverton to Durango via segments 25, 26, 27, and 28

Bikepacking the colorado trail has long been on my bucket list. In this episode, we head out to experience it for ourselves. We started in Silverton, Colorado for a bikepacking adventure where we rode sections 25-28 of the colorado trail. What a trail! This is the real deal, with lots of technical sections, elevation, and many challenges along the way. I can't wait to go back someday.
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[@junglejim3433]

About twenty years ago I rode the last section to Junction Creek from a point on FR 204. I was shuttled up with a group of four dudes from Mountain Bike Specialists in Durango. We were on a trail maintenance mission, clearing deadfall from the trail. Two guys pulled B.O.B trailers with chainsaws. We had to stop often, but what a phenomenal experience. Southwest Colorado is the best. I've done a little bit of biking and hiking around Telluride and found that with a bike the altitude up there was a real problem. I'd say I was pretty fit at the time and acclimated to the altitudes in Sedona and Flagstaff. It was worth the effort though. The scenery is mind blowing.

[@oot-n-aboot]

The best segments of the CT! Living in Durango for a couple years, these quickly became some of my favorite sections of singletrack in the country. Rocky and rooty, with big climbs (especially from Celebration Lakes up and over Blackhawk), even bigger descents, and some make you think sections, all in the high alpine with gorgeous trees and even better views...what is not to love! Stoked you rode that special section of dirt.

[@ccarey411]

I think you need to start a series called “what Cody climbed today on a single speed”. Met him at famous pizza in the village the other day. Dude is just a straight beast on 2 wheels. I would still be climbing out of the first saddle as this video posted lol. You guys are all awesome for this. What an epic ride!! Killing it as always

[@hardtailparty]

Yeah, he's a beast.

[@DonnieX6]

Every time you post a long video of a trip, I am not sure if I'd watch all of it, but in the end the time always flies by and I enjoy every second of it, haha!! Thanks for taking us along on another wonderful ride! :)

[@oldshovel]

Cody is a beast

[@jasoniannone9675]

He just waits for the guys at the top of every climb. The fittest always get the most rest.

[@strollersofthecodyscarp7557]

Epic trip! Great ride, camp, friends, and best finish with wife, daughter, and pup!

[@dirtyjoe1317]

I lived in durango for 8 years. Its such a beautiful area. I dont think I've ever seen somewhere prettier. Being within 5 separate types of biomes between silverton to New Mexico its all crazy scenery. If your still in the area, try hiking engineer mountain. Sweet 5 or so hour hike.

[@hughsnyder891]

Nice to see a Vassago represented 😊

[@bigshan5806]

Thanku so much for taking us all on your adventure. So many awesome views, and trails. And that's nuts those dudes riding that in a day. Keep up the great work mate

[@dennismiller1602]

EPIC high country!...hiked that first section starting above Silverton several years ago. I can appreciate the cardio breaks needed in timberline 12K + elevations. Awesome ride, thanks for the Vid!!

[@ohiomoto]

Pretty awesome! Thanks for sharing.

[@chumpmtb2554]

Oh yeah! I was riding up there in Sept, and I still can't get over the scenery. Gotta be the top 2 or 3 most beautiful places I've ever been. I did an out-n-back at Molas pass and I'm with you. I live at 7000 ft and was in the best riding shape of my life and that elevation kicked my butt! 🤣 It makes no difference if you already live at high elevation. As soon as I got up over 11k, I might as well have been from sea level 😫

[@raivkka4313]

I've done the Molas to engineer mtn, being FROM sea level, that elevation come close to shutting me down! Super nice ride though!

[@JimC-mn2ju]

I rode this section last June which was a little early - had to climb over some big snow drifts and downed trees. Really liked your video which brought back memories of the amazing trip. Got a hardtail Sendero last fall and am looking forward to riding it again as part of the whole CT.

[@genecarlsonii3115]

Happy Thanksgiving. I'm jealous. I grew up camping every summer on S. Mineral Creek in Silverton (overflow camping). Black Bear, Imogene Pass, et cetera . Thanks for sharing.

[@hardtailparty]

Beautiful area

[@alanmiller4122]

Best part of Colorado if you ask me, love Creede and Lake City as well

[@BrandonMeyer1641]

I sliced a tire open while touring across America. Couple playing card between the tube and the rim was a great idea. Went another 2000 after that without a flat and by that time it was ready to replace.

[@Kevin-ex2yb]

What an Awesome adventure and video. Thank you for sharing

[@terytkonar7695]

Watching Cody pushing these hard climbs is nerve wracking. Look how much the bike flexes under his power, chain drops like a cm wow.

[@thuggooch1776]

This looks like one awesome ride. Thank you for sharing it. This is exactly what I want to do some day.

[@JohnDoe-zb7dz]

My favorite time today was watching this. What a great time you had. You fellows are so fortunate.

[@SG-vc3wb]

Great ride! Looking out for each other is inspiring. Riding that trail with a single speed is hardcore.

[@JFRides]

Awesome video and a great 3 days spent on the bike with you and Cody. Let s make it happen again soon! 🚵‍♂️🚵‍♂️🚵‍♂️

[@hardtailparty]

Definitely!

[@davidh7414]

Amazing scenery. What an incredible experience.

[@jorgequiroz7720]

What a beautiful mountain bike trip 👍

[@snat6299]

Looks like a epic trip 👍

[@shaunroach7829]

Great job Steve, these videos are some of your best content!!! So fun to watch seeing that scenery and you guys powering through on your epic adventure!!! You really captured the essence of riding, challenging yourself, smiling for days and haying out and riding with your buddies!!! Awesome job 💪💪💪🤘🤘🤘🙌🙌🙌!!!

[@hardtailparty]

Thanks Shaun. I'm grateful to have such amazing friends and viewers.

[@johnsalvaggio]

Awesome video - keep them coming! I’m over the moon for my Vassago VerHauen SS, the Mooseknuckle is my next bike.

[@rufant6110]

So good! Cody is an inspiration!

[@pilomybike1737]

That was an Epic Bikepacking ride 🚴🏼‍♀️🚴🏼‍♀️🚴🏼‍♀️🤙👍

[@adamrossi7010]

Such an amazing adventure!! So beautiful out there!

[@fpainchaud350]

Crazy ride, very Cool!

[@MikeKraemer87]

What an insane ride, just shows how insanely versatile that middlechild is. Cody is just a beast honestly, think i should start riding some single speed myself.

[@rheerly2521]

I need to ride mother of all trails before I get so old! what a ride. thanks!

[@benjacobson7490]

Some people want to be like Wibmer Fabio or Danny Mcaskill on a bike, I just want to be like Cody on a bike

[@jackmcandle6955]

On the Pain Cave Shuttle⛑

[@TheTrakker]

Fact!

[@jordanrhodes]

one of your best vids - excellent. you guys had some fun!

[@snoopyboobs]

I do find it funny how some people are so adamant about not putting in a tube. I would have probably patched and tubed it right on the trail. I’m not that hardcore and would have enjoyed the break. Keep up the great videos, much appreciated! Happy Thanksgiving too!

[@larrymcardle]

"I think this is one of those moments that is supposed to build character." How many times have I thought this in my life.

[@Tiauguinho]

Thanks for sharing this Steve, I always look forward for these adventures of yours! Well done the three of you, epic ride indeed!

[@mrrims]

Cody is a friggen legend!! That looks like an awesome adventure.

[@justinprice6033]

Great video!! I’d love to do something like that, although I’m sure I could. Thanks for sharing

[@sanzquerol]

You mention this trip a few months ago I think. And i was waiting for it... Awesome content like always !!!

[@glock19gen3]

Reminds me of wind river ;) We need to do that again!

[@hardtailparty]

Agreed!

[@dhouse6629]

That was a awesome watch!!! Most the issues were the dropper posts. I think if... no when 🤓 I have the chance to explore this beautiful earth on my bicycle, I’ll use my masterpiece. Love the positive vibe!! Peace family!! 1Bike!!

[@davidgordon9048]

The BEST thing I’ve seen in a long time. Unbelievable views and EPIC ride.

[@KevinMcAfee]

Really inspirational stuff, Steve. Hope to do the same trip one day!

[@hardtailparty]

I highly recommend it!

[@E2tge]

Great trail! Haven't been there since 2013! It's time to go back!

[@Foxr6]

Epic! Thanks for taking us along 🤟🇨🇦🤟🇨🇦

[@brv002]

Another amazing trip well vicariously explored thru you guys. Right on man!

[@alanmiller4122]

Awesome!

[@travelthenarrowtrail8660]

Great job on this one. You all basically rode the most scenic part of the trail with the perfect weather and sunsets. The climbing can really be brutal man. Cody is a machine!!! I'd be in granny gear walking up, lol. The views are so majestically epic! Enjoyed this, my kind of ride.

[@FrankDeKleine]

What an amazing trip guys, loved every minute of it. Great scenery & route. This one is on my bucket list from now on. Hope to ride it one day. Regards form the Netherlands, Frank

[@hardtailparty]

thanks for watching I highly recommend this route, it's an adventure.

[@timparsons2741]

Super sweet ! On my bucket list .

[@killnme6212]

I carry a couple salt water taffy candies that I use the wrappers to help with punctures. The wax paper is very strong. Luckily I haven’t had a puncture bigger. Nice video guys!

[@tylerc8039]

I love the wildflowers on the bag Steve 😂 Great video as always. It made me want to get outside and ride my bike so I'd call it a success 🙏

[@suemajor2241]

Totally awesome! Long video & I loved it. You guys are awesome 😎

[@wesleywermuth9545]

Awesome video. Beautiful scenery.

[@AdventuresWithDaniel]

Epic, I drove along the highway between Silverton and durango but the Colorado trail looks way better !!

[@Halseb]

Such an amazing experience. My bucket list just became longer!

[@vagabond-yj8pn]

Nice!

[@timjohns3743]

Sweet! I live in CO and this is a bucket list item.

[@stevemurray2737]

The Train is substantially easier! Great job! Perfect Hoody area!

[@philstadnicki7882]

Wow, you live in a stunningly beautiful part of the world

[@hardtailparty]

Agreed! This trail is about 6 hours from my house. I love the western united states.

[@rottieshepcalibre9156]

NO MUSIC.. thank goodness 🙏🏾 great video/adventure

[@Shooterthecat1]

Fantastic effort. Cody is amazing.

[@deanlarsen5437]

Great job love your videos

[@FoCoFlowShow]

“This is a fun uphill to be honest” - No One Ever 😂

[@hardtailparty]

I love a good climb. :)

[@kilowatt8521]

I've ridden Molas Pass to Celebration Lake a couple of times and it was pouring rain/hail by 1 pm both times. So jealous of the weather you had!

[@hardtailparty]

We definitely lucked out. I was so worried about the weather the whole time. It's pretty rare to get such perfect weather in the high country.

[@pitchwife7573]

i live for the day we get a review of something chromag! love the videos man

[@hardtailparty]

Coming soonish...

[@jonk6055]

@@hardtailparty stylus ??

[@luckymarisa6834]

This ride maketh men stronger 😁

[@alonzogonzalez3062]

Wow great ride fellas! I hope to do that trail some day.

[@ponchochon]

Amazing video! I would love to ride those trails ! Good job guys !

[@edgarehu5268]

Great video muchAloha😎🤙🏾

[@fortunecatindoyjr6077]

don't stop riding a bike when the body still...God blesss and ride safe.....

[@dunneryak]

Cody ...."That was fun"....after 2 brutal days...lol ..greyhound!

[@hardtailparty]

Seriously. He kept saying how much he wanted to go back and try it in a day. Not my cup of tea, but he could do it no problem.

[@nickelcityrider5431]

Hi... are you doing the Marin El Roy review soon? Just wondering... I know you posted the bike from your home ~ 2wks ago.

[@planesandbikes7353]

really enjoyed this trip video! A pick me up during this cold dark wet pacific northwest winter. I am seriously impressed with how ultralight your camping kit is too! bike as a tentpole - great idea. I gotta hike this trail now, love being in the alpine. As for Dropper posts - I am sold on PNW droppers. My Transfer sticks down too much

[@hardtailparty]

Yeah, I'm not a fan of the transfer dropper at all.

[@slowwerthensnot]

Such awesome segments

[@slowwerthensnot]

Ridden them both ways

[@TheTrakker]

I planned for it last year, but had to cancel. Hopefully this year will be a go. I'm not sure how this old Carolina boy will do. But if I don't go, I'll never know.

[@triton189]

Yeah I did it with a rigid 29 plus and really wish I had a suspension fork in hindsight. Beat the hell out of my body and my gear. Beautiful stretch of the CT.

[@hardtailparty]

RESPECT! At least you had those plus tires to take a small amount of the sting out.

[@laynearaya3404]

Great reviews, I just purchased a used 2013 ragley blue pig, thanks to all your reviews my choice was solid, what am amazing machine, keep up the great reviews, do some Radley if you can, great 🚲

[@ericsundell9978]

Man I miss the mountains, this looks like a truly epic ride, and inspires me to want to give this stupidly hard ride a try someday.

[@irishman3375]

some day was yesterday, what are you waiting for, life is short, go today!!!

[@ericsundell9978]

@@irishman3375 COVID travel restrictions to lift, having available PTO. I used up all of mine on my wedding. Life happens as they say, also should probably get in better shape than I am now. 80 miles in the upper Midwest is different than 80 miles @ 9000+ ft. haha

[@lundfamily5024]

Great vid!

[@grjoeb6189]

Fantastic video Thx

[@bilalchaudhary8268]

What an adv. Few tips. Carry some duct tape for sliced tires and some pickle juice for cramps. Keep on riding. Thanks for sharing.

[@hardtailparty]

pickle juice is awfully heavy and hard to transport for 3 days. I use tailwind nutrition to stave off cramps. Duct tape has a tough time sticking to the inside of a tire with sealant in it.

[@John.M264]

After that ride I guess you'll know whether or not your modification to the frame was a bad idea or not I'm sure it didn't being titanium and Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family

[@hardtailparty]

That was a different frame.

[@lonewolf30531]

Happy turkey day !

[@slowwerthensnot]

I’ve been on 27 in lightning.... terror inducing for sure

[@hardtailparty]

That sounds awful.

[@sutusmihaly]

..awesome..

[@R2sAdventures]

Great video!

[@GeekonaBike]

I've been jumping around to see how U did that ledge on the way down to the lake. trying to get up in heading north I considered taking the bags off & reassembling the bike on the other side.

[@hardtailparty]

That would be a brutal climb.

[@deankruse2891]

Did this with my dogs in 2016

[@ryanmiskin]

I've been suspicious for a while now, and I think this video confirms, Cody is a cyborg.

[@nickreed6708]

What phone app are you using that showed the trail around 28 minutes.

[@makeupchickmakeup1511]

Looks like a breathe of adventure, love it! What month would you recommend august into September or end of July into august?

[@jeffdana9402]

Cody is a US National Champion rider and represents Sedona, AZ very well. Humble dude, so I let him lead once in awhile ... lol

[@hardtailparty]

I don't think many people understand what a truly incredible rider Cody is.

[@justinofboulder]

I once used a cigarette package (found on the road) as a tire boot....didn't want to waste a dollar bill

[@hardtailparty]

I guess that's about the only useful thing to ever come from a cigarette. :)

[@parkspursuit7515]

Nice video! That trail looks very challenging in some sections for sure! I know that the area between Silverton and Durango is renowned for its beauty (Million Dollar Highway, Narrow guage railway, etc) but never really thought of the Colorado Trail between the two. Have you ever done the bikepacking ride between Durango and Moab?

[@hardtailparty]

Not yet. One day.

[@ericmaughan4104]

Ok, so I’m doing this route the week after next. Do you have any info on shuttles from Durango back to Silverton that can take me and my MTB? Cheaper the better. 🤑 Any advice would be much appreciated!

[@951media]

Epic!

[@Lucky-xv7nl]

What time of year was this? Weather wise, when is the best time of year to do the trail?

[@hardtailparty]

Do you need help deciding which bike to purchase next? I offer a one-on-one bike consultation service through patreon. It's how I put food on the table for my family, and how I'm able to provide custom bike advice for my vieewrs. Become a patron today for access: sign up for the monthly bike consultation tier, and cancel at any time. Most people sign up for a month or two, and we work together to discuss their needs, riding style, etc. to narrow down the list of all the great hardtails out there. When they get the info they need and they no longer have any questions, they cancel. Become a patron today: patreon.com/hardtailparty. If my videos have saved you time or money, consider supporting this channel via Patreon. For as little as $5/month you can ensure I continue making unbiased content. Support individual content creators over garbage tv or sponsored content disguised as reviews. Happy thanksgiving everybody. Links to the gear I used in the description. Bike check (and gear) video coming soon. Have you ridden this segment of the colorado trail? Share your thoughts below. In riding my size small titanium middle child in this video with a 130mm fork and 27.5x3.0 travail coronado tires.

[@ianfurqueron5850]

Do you have an affiliate link for the Teravail tires? I've been trying to decide on tires for my Chameleon.