Park County - McQuaid/Salt Creek Trail Loop

Area: Buffalo Peaks
Distance: 12.5 Mile Loop
Rating: Moderate (some difficult hills on Salt Creek Trail)
Elevation: Low: 9,360 feet; High: 10,600 feet
Trail Type: Forest Trail; Primitive & Improved Forest Roads
Environment: Mixed Forest and Mountain Parks
USGS Maps: 7.5’ Topographic Series - Marmot Peak, Jones Hill
Overview: This is the first in a series of rides that form a near continuous mountain bike route along the western edge of South Park. Although it is described here as a 12.5 mile loop, this ride provides a connection between the Midland Bike Trail (south) and rides described in this guide (to the north).
Access: From Fairplay drive 19 miles south on U.S. 285 and turn right on Forest Road (FR) 435, which is Salt Creek Road. Drive about 3 miles west on FR 435 and park along the road, near the start of the McQuaid Trail.
Description: From FR 435, the McQuaid Trail (#631) climbs 0.5 mile up a moderate gully. It then contours 2.2 miles north to FR 434. Stay on #631 for another 0.8 mile to FR 433, where it ends. Turn left on FR 433 (two track) and ride a short distance west to FR 433.2B. Turn right on FR 433 and cross the cattle guard. From here FR 433 climbs and descends a series of low ridges for 3 miles to the Salt Creek Trail (#618). Turn left on this single track which climbs 500 feet in one mile, up a series of short steep hills, before leveling out. For the next 1.5 miles the trail contours south, then gains a ridge (10,600’) which is the high point of the loop. From here the trail descends about 1/2-mile to the North Salt Creek trailhead at the end of FR 435. The remainder of this ride (3 miles) is a gradual descent on FR 435 (improved road) back to the start.
— From the South Park Mountain Bike Trail Guide