Sheep Mountain Trail #691

Trail Overview

This is a really great singletrack near Fairplay, Colorado, that is 4.8 miles through the Pike National Forest. The north end starts off of the Almgren Trail, south of the Horseshoe Campground. It winds into the forest on a singletrack with embedded rocks and roots, and climbs up to high elevation tundra above 12,000 feet, but is overall an intermediate ride with manageable obstacles for average riders. Expect tight turns through the trees, and a rocky and bumpy surface, but it's mostly small rocks that are easy to ride over. Watch for downed logs; this is a less-trafficked area, so downed trees may not get cut right away. The trail has flowy sections with less rock weaving through the forest, and some moderate switchbacks that are not too tight or steep. As it continues climbing up Sheep Mountain, expect a few steeper spots with more loose rock. It passes the Interconnect Trail during a long, sustained climb with wide, loose switchbacks. It starts to get a bit shelfier, with great views off the side of the mountain, then starts to go through scree fields, but the trail is either packed small scree or the rock has been pushed off the trail, so it's not overly difficult, just exposed and loose. It's unique to get to ride through high elevation mountains like this, so make sure to stay on the trail and respect fragile soils in the tundra. After continuing on the ridge line of Sheep Mountain, it starts descending off the ridge line on a narrow single track back down to the tree line, going through more packed scree on the descent. The south end dumps out at Mother Lode Road at Browns Pass.

Photos of Sheep Mountain Trail #691

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Difficulty

This is a solid intermediate ride for average riders because it doesn't have any major obstacles or ledges that would make it more advanced, but it does have semi-technical switchbacks and steep spots that provide a moderate challenge, plus exposure at high elevation. It's a mix of flowy and rocky, with epic views, making it a fantastic ride for intermediate riders.

Technical Rating

Sheep Mountain Trail #691 can be accessed by the following ride types:

• Dirt Bike