11.1 miles
Distance
1,469 ft
Climb
-1,474 ft
Descent
2 miles
High Point

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 There's an out of date sign an the intersections of Coney and Middle St Vrain stating that bikes are not allowed on the trail.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.
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Details

  • Featured
  • Riding area
  • Primary Activity
    Mountain Bike
  • Other Activities
    • Horse
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
    • Snowshoe
    • Nordic Ski
  • Difficulty rating
    Black Diamond
  • Route Type
    Loop
  • eBike Allowed
  • Direction
    Both Directions
  • Physical rating
    Hard
  • Ridelogs
    9
More Stats for Coney Buchanan Loop mountain bike route
  • Avg time
    2 hr 42 min
  • Altitude min
    8,538 ft
  • Altitude start
    8,548 ft
  • Altitude end
    8,543 ft
  • Grade max
    -78.1%
  • Grade min
    38.7%
  • Distance climb
    5 miles
  • Distance down
    5 miles
  • Distance flat
    1 mile
Avg: 5 (3 votes)
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Trail Conditions
  • Unknown
  • Snow Groomed
  • Snow Packed
  • Snow Covered
  • Snow Cover Partial
  • Freeze/thaw Cycle
  • Icy
  • Prevalent Mud
  • Wet
  • Variable
  • Ideal
  • Dry
  • Very Dry
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Recent Trail Reports Along Route

statustraildateconditiondescription
Buchanan Pass Trail
Dec 10, 2023 @ 10:59am
Dec 10, 2023
Mostly snow covered with just a few rocks/boulders poking through. Winter is here, fatlike required!
Beaver Reservoir Cutoff Trail
Mar 4, 2023 @ 5:40pm
Mar 4, 2023
Super great
Coney Creek Road
Nov 22, 2022 @ 9:38am
Nov 22, 2022
Snow covered and Jeep-packed as a two-track. Occasional uncovered rocks.
Coney Non-Motorized Spur
May 25, 2021 @ 8:26am
May 25, 2021
Trails are open. Please update conditions if you ride.
more reports »
  • By WendyBMATF Pro BMA & contributors
  • #26072 - 1,933 views