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1,250 ft
Distance
-221 ft
Descent
00:04:27
Avg time
-221 ft
Altitude change
7,074 ft
Altitude min
7,295 ft
Altitude max
7,295 ft
Altitude start
7,073 ft
Altitude end
-17.7%
Grade
-60.6%
Grade max
-2.9%
Grade min
1,250 ft
Distance down
00:04:27
Avg time
Lower Merve Details
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Activities
- Mountain Bike
- Hike
- Trail Running
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Riding AreaAnimas City Mountain
Durango, Colorado -
Difficulty Rating
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Local Popularity55 in Mountain Biking [+]
- 90 in Trail Running
- 90 in Hiking
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Global Ranking
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State Ranking
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Hiking SAC ScaleT1 Hiking
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Trail TypeSingletrack
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Bike TypeAM
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Dogs AllowedYes
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TTFs on TrailDrop, Gap Jump, Rock Garden
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Land OwnerBLM
Fun scenic rim ride to some jumps to a steep tech descent into sailing hawks.
Merv is techy and steep Go ride it if you want a challenge!
Disclaimer
The upper part of this trail is closed from Dec 1 - Apr 15 annually.
Trail Supporters
BLMLand Manager
Local Trail Association
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Please consider joining or donating to the local trail association to supportDonate to earn trail karma!
trail development & maintenance.
Traditionally Indigenous Territory
Recent Activity on Trail
Past Week
- 0 rides
6 Months
- 16 rides
- 11 miles avg distance
All
- 97 rides
- Last: Oct 29, 2026
| c1 | c2 | c3 | c4 |
|---|---|---|---|
January | February | March | April |
May | June | July | August |
September | October | November | December |
Lower Merve Trail Reports
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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
Trail Flow (Ridden Direction)
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The colour categories are based on what percentage of users are riding a trail in its intended direction.
- > 96%
- > 90%
- > 80%
- > 70%
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- < 50%
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- no data
Trail Last Used
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- < 1 week
- < 2 weeks
- < 1 month
- < 6 months
- > 6 months
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- Downhill Primary
- Both Directions
- Uphill Primary
- Uphill Only
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Directions to lower-merve trailhead
(37.311640, -107.881640)
Photos
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Trail Products
5 Reviews & Comments
BetsyBrown
Do not listen to the unrideable comments. Someone talented could ride it on a hard tail. Very rideable on a trail bike and rideable with speed on an enduro rig. Steep, tech, fun. Hit the intro drop at trail speed and smile the rest of the way down
Josephcain4
Just a push on the uphill. Looks like an exciting descent but definitely need to be on your game heading down.
spokesmanmtb
I agree with MexicoMagico. It's rideable, but you gotta have skill and experience. It's rated as a double-black, and that rating is justified. SUPER fun, but I walked sections, and I have cleared a wide variety of stuff. This is advanced.
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Nearby Trails
- Upper Spur 633 ft
- Ponderosa 738 ft
- Sailing Hawks 1,135 ft
- Jacobs Cliff Bypass 1,440 ft
- Bouldering 1,604 ft
Animas City Mountain
- By boldskool
& contributors - #92003 - 2,127 views
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