Last Update:  01/24/2012

Sightseeing Out of Copper Mountain

Near Frisco -- Lake Dillon

Summit County, Colorado -- A Great Place for Seeing Northern Colorado

For 2010, Rockies-Gold has moved from Montrose to Copper Mountain -- although everyone loved the great riding out of Montrose, quite a few folks wanted to be located this year so that they could ride the roads of northern Colorado.  It was also decided to hold the gathering in mid-September so that folks might see some of the fall colors in Colorado.  We might be a little early for peak colors, but there should be some color at the higher elevations.  To travel later increases the risk of early snow on the Colorado Passes -- it is still a possibility in mid-September, but if a storm moves through it should not last long and any snow on the roads would melt quickly.

Copper Mountain, located in the Summit County ski area, is a great place to locate for riding many of the great roads and seeing the awesome sights of northern Colorado.  Rocky Mountain National Park and many of the higher passes in Colorado are readily accessible on day rides out of Copper Mountain -- you will not be disappointed.

Several day-trips are easily accessible from Copper Mountain.  You may choose to do each ride as presented, or you might want to do a variation where you only do part of a particular ride.  As much as you can, you may want to choose your day-rides in advance to allow you to take-in areas that you did not include in your ride to and from Copper -- a little planning can go a long way.  If you have never ridden in northern Colorado previously, then Rocky Mountain National Park is one ride that you definitely want to include.  The 100K ride makes for a long day, but provides a unique opportunity to ride passes that total more than 100,000 feet elevation -- all in one day, and with beautiful scenery.  The Butt-Kicker (also knows as The Taste of Colorado and WingNutZZ' favorite ride) allows for a real taste of the variety of Colorado, with high mountain passes, the beauty of the North Rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, lots of sweepers, and lots of twisties -- this is a ride not to be missed. 

Since most of you will be coming to Colorado from other parts of the country, you will need to travel through other parts of Colorado in order to get to Copper Mountain.  To assist in your planning you should take a good look at the Copper Rides, but also take a good look at the Montrose Rides included in this site.  If you have never ridden the Million Dollar Highway (San Juan Skyway) or the Unaweep-Tebaguache Scenic Byway, both in western Colorado, you may want to include them in your travel plans.   The "Montrose Rides" page provides information on other routes in Colorado that you might wish to include in your travels.  If you have never ridden the Million Dollar Highway (San Juan Skyway) or Unaweep, you may want to include them in your travels.  If you have a couple of extra days beyond those that you will be spending in Copper, you might spend them in Montrose -- from this location you can hit most of the great mountain roads that are located in southwestern Colorado.

Ahhh, so many great roads -- so many choices.  There just is not enough time.  Colorado:  Life is good!!!!

Safe Riding

Riding safely is always of paramount importance, but particularly at Rockies-Gold 2010.  Group riding can be a challenge, but particularly so in the mountains and canyons of Colorado.  You are responsible for your own safety.  If you are riding in a group and they are riding at a pace or style that is beyond your capabilities or comfort-level, safely drop-out of the group (let the tail-gunner know that you are not having a problem, but are just dropping back).  Before coming to Rockies-Gold please read the safety guidelines available via the link below.

Group Riding and Rider Safety

Rides out of Copper Mountain

Other Maps and Descriptions at Colorado Directory

GPS Data Files:

[NOTE:  Since some GPS units cannot invert the route from that planned, each of the routes is provided in a clockwise and counter-clockwise direction, marked by the name followed by a CW (clockwise) or CCW (counter-clockwise), ie "100K CW" and "100K CCW" -- hopefully this will be helpful.]

[NOTE:  After downloading these files to your computer, you need to re-calculate the route in MapSource or your software before transferring them to your GPS.  These GPS routes were updated in early August to reflect begin/end at Copper Mountain vs Frisco]

[click on the name on the map, or on the links below]

[click on the name on the map, or on the links below]

Google Earth -- You might want to use Google Earth to view the areas for the rides -- very good and very interesting, and free!

A Couple of Unpaved Roads Worth Consideration

The following routes include a couple of unpaved sections, but they may be worth your consideration -- the Kebler Pass ride goes through some of the most beautiful Aspen in all of Colorado.  Both unpaved sections are treated for dust and this results in them being pretty hard-packed except for areas in the corners where some gravel kicks loose -- if it is a beautiful day and it has not rained recently (DO NOT DO if there has been recent rain), then you might want to consider these rides as they include some beautiful Colorado scenery, especially with the Fall colors.

Other Great Colorado Rides  -- click here