Basics
- Location:
- In Canyons of the Ancients National Monument in southwest Colorado
- Length:
- 7.2 miles round-trip
- Difficulty:
- Beginner,
Intermediate - Aerobic Difficulty:
- Easy
- Time To Allow:
- 1 hour
- Elevation Change:
- 650 feet
- Season:
- April to October
Description
Sand Canyon Trail passes a number of Anasazi structures on its way to the Sand Canyon Pueblo, a large cluster of buildings home to a group of these ancient people. Riders travel through rich desert landscape, with cactus, piñon-juniper forest, and red sandstone as the cornerstones of the scenery. Sand Canyon Pueblo itself is up a series of sandy switchbacks, and it is recommended that visitors walk the last few miles instead of biking this technically difficult segment, if they wish to visit the site.
Details
Location:
In Canyons of the Ancients National Monument in southwest Colorado
Length:
7.2 miles round-trip
Difficulty:
Beginner
Intermediate
Intermediate
Aerobic Difficulty:
Easy
Time To Allow:
1 hour
Elevation Change:
650
Season:
April to October
Map + Directions
Basic Directions
From Cortez, head south on US 160. Turn right on McElmo Canyon Road and travel for 13 miles to the Sand Canyon trailhead.
