Dark Canyon

Total Miles
2.2

Elevation

2,902.05 ft

Duration

1 Hours

Technical Rating

6

Moderate

Best Time

Summer, Fall

Trail Overview

This single track starts at the end of the Runlett ATV trail and descends 1,100 feet over 2.4 miles through the San Juan National Forest until it ends on Middle Mountain Road. The initial descent is the steepest spot, with embedded rocks and roots, and will require some proper braking technique with your body weight to the back of the bike. Right away the trail has downed logs, steep and tight switchbacks, and one-foot-tall ledges from embedded roots and rocks. As it continues descending, it has several more challenging sections, having to ride over rockpiles, root obstacles, and having to cross tons of uncut logs that are at slanted or diagonal angles that make them harder to cross. The last bit of trail steeply climbs back up to the road. Overall it's a really fun challenge that also has really nice views of the San Juan mountains.

Photos of Dark Canyon

Dark Canyon
Dark Canyon

Difficulty

This is an intermediate trail as it constantly has moderate features that keep you on your toes, whether it's tight switchbacks, rock ledges, or just dodging tons of fallen logs while tightly winding through the trees. This trail also has lots of downed logs that are at awkward angles, making them harder to cross.

Technical Rating

6

Status Reports

There are no status reports yet for this trail.

Access Description

There is a very small parking area good for a few vehicles at the entrance to Middle Mountain Road off Highway 501. There is a big meadow that can be used for dispersed camping and staging just around the corner from the south entrance to the Berri ATV trail.

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