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11.1 miles
Distance
1,469 ft
Climb
-1,474 ft
Descent
2 miles
High Point
-4 ft
Altitude change
8,538 ft
Altitude min
8,548 ft
Altitude start
8,543 ft
Altitude end
-78.1%
Grade max
38.7%
Grade min
5 miles
Distance climb
5 miles
Distance down
1 mile
Distance flat
This loop is possible in the summer and winter and is difficult in each season for different reasons.
Park at the Peaceful Valley trailhead. Head west on Buchanan Trail, then head up Beaver Resevoir Cutoff to Coney Creek Road. The single track is rocky, steep and challenging. Coney Creek Road is a heavily trafficked 4x4 road. There's an out of date sign an the intersections of Coney and Middle St Vrain stating that bikes are not allowed on the trail. This information is incorrect. You'll come down Buchanan Pass trail back to where you started.
Summer: Rocks, rocks and more rocks The singletrack is very challenging in both steepness and technical features. Coney Creek Road is open to off-roading traffic and is very busy. It also has several large puddles than never dry up. Buchanan Pass Trail is a very popular hiking destination.
Pro-tip: There is not a set opening or closing date of the motor vehicle gate. Try timing this ride in spring or fall when the ground is mostly dry but the gate is still shut. Otherwise, hit it very early in the morning or as an evening ride to avoid jeeps.
Winter: A good layer of snow covers up all the rocks making this a great fatbiking ride. Buchanan and the lower section of Coney Creek are usually well packed. The western-most 3 miles of this route are not well traveled and traverse some open areas and thus are often untracked and drifty.
Pro-tip: Check conditions on Front Range Fattys before heading out: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1422762624607648/. And it's a good idea to carry snowshoes with you should you need to do some extended hiking.
Detailed Description
Coney Buchanan Loop is a 11 mile popular expert route located near Ward Colorado. This mountain bike primary route can be used both directions and has a hard overall physical rating. This route includes 4 trails. This route climbs 1,469 ft with a max elevation of 9,821 ft then descends -1,474 ft.
Trail Issues on Route
- Minor Issue / Yellow: 1 trail (newest: Jul 17, 2026)
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Stats
-
Distance11 miles
-
Avg time2 hr 29 min
-
Altitude min8,538 ft
-
Altitude start8,548 ft
-
Altitude end8,543 ft
-
Climb1,469 ft
-
Descent-1,474 ft
-
Grade max-78.1%
-
Grade min38.7%
-
Distance climb5 miles
-
Distance down5 miles
-
Distance flat1 mile
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Trails in Route
| 3,573 ft | |||||
| 1 mile | |||||
| 5 miles |
Details
- Featured
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Riding area
-
Primary ActivityMountain Bike
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Other Activities
- Horse
- Hike
- Trail Running
- Snowshoe
- Nordic Ski
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Difficulty ratingBlack Diamond
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Route TypeLoop
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eBike Allowed
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DirectionBoth Directions
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Physical ratingHard
-
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- Snow Groomed
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Photos
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mtb
Buchanan Pass Trail - Fat Biking at Brainard Lake & Peaceful Valley - Colorado
trail: Buchanan Pass Trail
5:07 | 349 | comments: 0 | favs:
Dec 4, 2023
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![Fat biking Peaceful Valley: Buchanan descent...]()
mtb
Fat biking Peaceful Valley: Buchanan descent from waterfall to bridge
trail: Buchanan Pass Trail
6:56 | 692 | comments: 0 | favs:
Jan 16, 2018
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