3.8 miles
Distance
635 ft
Climb
-697 ft
Descent
00:31:50
Avg time

Rim Trail South Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
  • Riding Area
    Aspen
    Colorado
  • Difficulty Rating
    Blue rate
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Direction
    Both Directions
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • Global Ranking
    #4884 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #23962 in Trail Running
    • #26449 in Hiking
  • Local Popularity
    95 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 5 in Trail Running
    • 95 in Hiking

Generally done clockwise as a loop (see the Rim Trail Loop ride), this one starts off with a 700' vertical climb. The trail is well-built for bikes though, with widely-rounded switchbacks and a very smooth surface, so it's a very enjoyable climb. It's pretty exposed to the southern sun, so it could be quite hot on a warm sunny day.

Once at the top, take a left and go 100 yards to the high point and enjoy the remarkable 360 degree view.

Return those 100 yards, then continue on slightly descending, fast and fun singletrack right along the rim. There are occasional breaks in the trees that are worth stopping for and taking a peek.

More fun descending, sometimes through forest, takes you to a saddle point and a road crossing. This is a bailout option if you're in a hurry or tired. Otherwise, continue on, with some moderate climbing until you get to one final 400 climb.

Like the first climb, the surface is nice and it's well laid out for bikes, and it's over pretty fast. More great views from a bench at this high point.

Now it's a pure descent all the way to the car, and it's a blast: singletrack all the way through some aspens, but mostly sage meadows on nicely contoured trail. The views are astounding if you can take your eyes off the trail for a second. This final three quarter miles of trail (just after the final wood boardwalk / bridges) is a new trail extension constructed late summer 2014. This section is great swoopy fun, and brings you closer to the bikepath that leads to the Snowmass Recreation Center and Rodeo Lot trailhead.

Local Trail Association
Traditionally Indigenous Territory
More Stats for Rim Trail South mountain bike trail trail
  • Altitude change
    -61 ft
  • Altitude min
    8,515 ft
  • Altitude max
    9,171 ft
  • Altitude start
    8,614 ft
  • Altitude end
    8,553 ft
  • Grade
    -0.3%
  • Grade max
    -34.9%
  • Grade min
    42.9%
  • Distance climb
    2 miles
  • Distance down
    2 miles
  • Distance flat
    988 ft
  • Avg time
    00:31:50
  • Avg reverse time
    00:42:41
  • view trail stats
Status:
on Sep 16, 2023
Dry
Avg: 5 (3 votes)
Your vote: 0

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Trail Conditions
  • Unknown
  • Snow Groomed
  • Snow Packed
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  • Snow Cover Inadequate
  • Freeze/thaw Cycle
  • Icy
  • Prevalent Mud
  • Wet
  • Variable
  • Ideal
  • Dry
  • Very Dry
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      Directions to rim-trail-south trailhead (39.209120, -106.957020)
      update trails status or condition

      Rim Trail South Trail Reports

      statusdatedescription
      Sep 16, 2023 @ 1:08pm
      Sep 16, 2023
      		 Conditions are so good right now. Tacky and moist in the shade and dry packed, but not blown out in the sun. Bonus, didn't kill any hikers blazing...
      Oct 12, 2022 @ 2:34am
      Oct 12, 2022
      Aug 9, 2022 @ 9:32am
      Aug 9, 2022
      Jul 25, 2022 @ 10:07am
      Jul 25, 2022
      Sep 25, 2021 @ 8:10am
      Sep 25, 2021
      view all reports »

      Recent Ridelog Activity on Trail

      Past Week
      • 0 rides
      •  
      6 Months
      • 216 rides
      • 20 miles avg distance
      All
      • 1,045 rides
      • Last: Aug 19, 2023

      Photos

      more »
      58 |
      Dec 1, 2021 @ 9:02pm
      Dec 1, 2021
      107 |
      Jun 7, 2020 @ 12:34pm
      Jun 7, 2020
      142 |
      Aug 8, 2019 @ 1:17pm
      Aug 8, 2019
      139 |
      Aug 8, 2019 @ 1:17pm
      Aug 8, 2019

      Routes with this trail

      more »
      titledistance
      Rim Trail Loop11 miles
      Rim Trail Loop10 miles
      Aspen Snowmass Mega Loop (IMBA Epic)58 miles
      Aspen 5044 miles

      1 Review & Comments


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