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Sand Canyon
Two-Wheel Trail-Blazing in Canyon Country
GETTING STARTED
TRAILS The Sand Canyon trail head is located 15.5 miles from Cortez, Colo. Head south on Hwy. 191 for 3 miles, then turn west on Road G for 12.5 miles. Park at the Canyon of the Ancients National Monument sign.
The Sand Canyon Trail is an intermediate ride best done as a 6-mile out and back (the switchbacks en route are not recommended for biking). At the top of the 30 switchbacks is the Sand Canyon Pueblo, a huge 420-room pueblo.
The East Rock Creek loop is among the best desert trail riding in the southwest, contending with greats like Moab, Fruita and Durango. This 9-mile loop is best ridden counter clockwise and offers stunning views, slick rock, single track, challenging terrain and more. Add 3 more miles by hitting the lesser-traveled West Rock Creek loop.
INFORMATION The Anasazi Heritage Center (970-882-5600, 9 am-5 pm, 7 days a week).Trail maps are available at Kokopeli Bike and Board, Cortez, (970) 565-4408
Nearly 6,000 feet below the nose of 10,000-foot Sleeping Ute Mountain near Cortez, Colo., you're at eye level with a
part of the Four Corners that relatively few people seek out for a visit. If you arrive with a mountain bike, good
fortune awaits.
Welcome to buffed single track, slick-rock oases, lost canyons and pristine flora. Welcome to one of the most densely
rich archeological areas in the United States. Welcome to Sand Canyon.
Part of the Canyon of the Ancients National Monument, the Sand Canyon Trail System includes nearly 20 miles of
superior desert riding. Located in McElmo Canyon, the area is a hidden stash of Colorado canyon country. The
166,000-acre Monument was designated in 2000 to protect the unparalleled amount of archeological sites within its
boundaries. "It has the largest concentration of prehistoric sites in the United States," said David Kill, Museum
Specialist at the Anasazi Heritage Center near Cortez, Colo. "There are more sites per acre than any other part of
the country." Currently, 6,000 sites have been documented and an estimated 20,000-30,000 sites exist.
Pedaling past the Entrada sandstone featured called Castle Rock, the adventure has kicked into gear. The trail system
is clearly marked, and offers a number of routes. With such amazing features accompanying the ride, it is important
to treat the area with respect. "If there is anywhere to maintain your best trail etiquette, it's here," said Dani
Gregory, six-year president of Kokopeli Bike Club in Cortez. The local trail advocacy group maintains trails and
coordinates land use and other issues regarding mountain biking. "A number of people helped secure the user-created
trails in that area. The travel plan for the monument could have been devastating for mountain biking. The San Juan
Citizens Alliance really went to bat for us," she said. "We're fortunate to ride here."
The trails are lined frequently with visible cliff dwellings and structures. Many sites have spurs leading off the main trails that allow closer inspection. Evidence indicates that human activity in this area began around 10,000 B.C. Readily seen are clues of the Basket Maker culture, which occupied the area from 2000 B.C. to 750 A.D. These early gardeners, hunters and gatherers lived in "pit" houses and developed impressive techniques in basket weaving and making stone tools. The Pueblo cultural period, 750-1300 A.D., saw advancements to ceramics, masonry and agriculture, leaving behind elegant pottery, and large cliff dwellings and structures, many of which still stand today.
The cultural history isn't the only component that makes riding Sand Canyon so rewarding. Spinning around sweeping
mesa tops and over rocky ledges on canyon rims, wandering eyes find Indian Paintbrush, Mariposa Lilies and Evening
Primrose in bloom. Piñon groves and mountain Mahogany are widespread along with varieties of yucca and cacti.
Collard and spiny lizards dart across the trail. Tarantulas, rattle snakes and Mesa Verde night snakes slither about,
mostly at night, while mountain lions roam the grounds. Peregrine falcons patrol blue skies.
Even though the monument is relatively protected on the surface, gas and oil interests own rights to 85 percent of
what lies beneath. The McElmo Dome formation is said to have the highest concentration of natural carbon dioxide in
the world. This highly pressurized gas is used in everything from soda drinks to fire extinguishers, and seven major
operations mine it here.
Sand Canyon has great trails for all skill levels of riders and enough trailside attractions to keep the most
seasoned Southwest aficionado occupied. Mountain bikers will be impressed with the quality of riding. "It's a
beautiful place," said Jimbo Fairly, owner of Kokopelli Bike and Board in Cortez, "a whole Southwest package."
Brandon Mathis writes from Durango, Colo., where his dreams of mountain biking get the best of him.
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