Hermosa Creek, Colorado - Colorado Mountain Biking

This week's picture comes to us from the Hermosa Creek Trail in Durango Colorado. Like the name implies, this trail follows Hermosa Creek as it heads through the heart of the San Juan National Forest.

Most people use the two car shuttle system, allowing them to ride 21 miles of single track that is almost entirely downhill. The trail crosses the creek twice, so be prepared to wade through waist-deep water if riding this one during the spring.

To get here from Durango, drive highway 550 north for 11 miles until you reach the town of Hermosa. Drop off a car and continue to drive north until you reach the Purgatory Ski Area. Turn left and drive until you reach Forest Road 578. Turn left and follow 578 until you reach Hermosa Creek and the trailhead.

For more information on Durango, be sure to check out the MBR Mecca profile of Durango.

For those traveling on a budget, there is a very clean hostel located in town. If you want to experience a less touristic version of the alps, you may want to continue on to nearby Kleine Scheidegg or the remote village of Gimmelwald.

To get to this area, catch the private train (not covered by Eurail Passes) from Interlaken to Grindelwald. Once in Grindelwald, you can stay, or continue on to Kleine Scheidegg & Gimmelwald.