So much to do, so little time...
And thus, this section is not designed to be exhaustive but rather focus on additional details for options close to Risco Rojo.
Road Biking CR 250
View of the Animas from Baker's Bridge.
Baker's Bridge (also referred to as "The Long Valley" by area bikers)
Start this 30-mile loop right out the door, going north (right) up CR 250 all the way to Baker's Bridge (a people-watching must-see), winding through the lush Animas Valley. Travel south over the bridge and straight to the intersection at Highway 550. Turn south (left) on 550 and ride it past Honeyville to Hermosa where you get on CR 203. The turn onto CR 203 is on the right, just past the railroad tracks and it will bring you back into Durango. Turn left onto 32nd street, then north (left) back onto CR 250. You're about 8.5 miles away from Risco Rojo at this point.
Trimble Loop
This is a shortened version of Baker's Bridge, also referred to as "The Short Valley". The total distance is about 15 miles. Follow same directions above, but instead turn onto CR 252 right past Trimble Hot Springs. Cross over Highway 550, ride past Dalton Ranch and turn back north onto CR 250. You're 1.9 miles away from Risco Rojo at this juncture.
Ride to Silverton
This ride one-way totals about 42 miles and includes two mountain passes and scenic views: Coal Bank Pass at 10,660 feet and Molas Pass at 10,900 feet. Be prepared for about 6,000 feet of climbing in total. Go north on CR 250 until you reach Highway 550 and continue north, winding through the mountains to Silverton passing Purgatory and the Hermosa Cliffs along the way. The ride is easier traveling from Silverton to Durango, but be sure to warm up before you start because it begins on a mountain pass.You can also make arrangements to ride the train to Silverton and ride your bike back to Risco Rojo.
More information about area road rides can be found here.
Start this 30-mile loop right out the door, going north (right) up CR 250 all the way to Baker's Bridge (a people-watching must-see), winding through the lush Animas Valley. Travel south over the bridge and straight to the intersection at Highway 550. Turn south (left) on 550 and ride it past Honeyville to Hermosa where you get on CR 203. The turn onto CR 203 is on the right, just past the railroad tracks and it will bring you back into Durango. Turn left onto 32nd street, then north (left) back onto CR 250. You're about 8.5 miles away from Risco Rojo at this point.
Trimble Loop
This is a shortened version of Baker's Bridge, also referred to as "The Short Valley". The total distance is about 15 miles. Follow same directions above, but instead turn onto CR 252 right past Trimble Hot Springs. Cross over Highway 550, ride past Dalton Ranch and turn back north onto CR 250. You're 1.9 miles away from Risco Rojo at this juncture.
Ride to Silverton
This ride one-way totals about 42 miles and includes two mountain passes and scenic views: Coal Bank Pass at 10,660 feet and Molas Pass at 10,900 feet. Be prepared for about 6,000 feet of climbing in total. Go north on CR 250 until you reach Highway 550 and continue north, winding through the mountains to Silverton passing Purgatory and the Hermosa Cliffs along the way. The ride is easier traveling from Silverton to Durango, but be sure to warm up before you start because it begins on a mountain pass.You can also make arrangements to ride the train to Silverton and ride your bike back to Risco Rojo.
More information about area road rides can be found here.
Mountain Biking
Mt. Engineer Pass trail in July.
Hermosa Creek Trail
CURRENTLY CLOSED DUE TO 416 FIRE. Hermosa Creek is one of the most popular single-track trails in Durango, the trailhead located on the backside of Purgatory (~ 20 mile ride). The trail has some technical sections, steep climbs and two river crossings. The river crossings can get waist-high in the spring and early summer. The trail ends in Hermosa, which is on the opposite side of the valley as Risco Rojo. Ride down CR 203 and turn left at CR 252. Ride up to CR 250 and hang a left, Risco Rojo is 1.9 miles up the road.
Stevens Creek - Missionary Ridge - Haflin Canyon Loop
Confident, aggressive riders who want to experience all the best that Durango has to offer should not miss this incredible loop into the rugged hills just northeast of town. This route, connecting three awesome singletracks, begins with a long, punishing climb onto Missionary Ridge, then dances along the beautiful ridge for six miles before diving into Haflin Canyon. The Haflin Creek Trail is one of the most combative trails you will ever ride, and one of the most memorable.
CURRENTLY CLOSED DUE TO 416 FIRE. Hermosa Creek is one of the most popular single-track trails in Durango, the trailhead located on the backside of Purgatory (~ 20 mile ride). The trail has some technical sections, steep climbs and two river crossings. The river crossings can get waist-high in the spring and early summer. The trail ends in Hermosa, which is on the opposite side of the valley as Risco Rojo. Ride down CR 203 and turn left at CR 252. Ride up to CR 250 and hang a left, Risco Rojo is 1.9 miles up the road.
Stevens Creek - Missionary Ridge - Haflin Canyon Loop
Confident, aggressive riders who want to experience all the best that Durango has to offer should not miss this incredible loop into the rugged hills just northeast of town. This route, connecting three awesome singletracks, begins with a long, punishing climb onto Missionary Ridge, then dances along the beautiful ridge for six miles before diving into Haflin Canyon. The Haflin Creek Trail is one of the most combative trails you will ever ride, and one of the most memorable.
Hiking
Trails 2000 online guide is a great hiking resource. Close to Risco Rojo are Stevens Creek and Haflin Canyon.
Haflin Creek to Missionary Ridge is a good half-day, advanced hike through deep woods, taking you up from the Animas Valley through nearly 3,000 feet of ascent, almost always through trees. The hike also illustrates different climatic zones and associated forestation, staring among the pinion, junipers and oak brush, reaching a level of Ponderosa Pine, and traveling through the quaking Aspen before reaching spruce and fir forests. This 6.4-mile hike (round-trip) starts at 6,620 feet and climbs to 9,400 feet, beginning near Haflin Creek. This trail rises above the creek, crosses and reaches the top of the ridge above the stream source for a good view of the river valley below.
Stevens Creek to Missionary Ridge is 7.3 miles one way and is usually a good hike in the shoulder season because of its solar exposure. It begins about a half mile north of Risco Rojo (can be very difficult to see the trail marker) and ends at Forest Trail 543 - Missionary Ridge Trail.
Haflin Creek to Missionary Ridge is a good half-day, advanced hike through deep woods, taking you up from the Animas Valley through nearly 3,000 feet of ascent, almost always through trees. The hike also illustrates different climatic zones and associated forestation, staring among the pinion, junipers and oak brush, reaching a level of Ponderosa Pine, and traveling through the quaking Aspen before reaching spruce and fir forests. This 6.4-mile hike (round-trip) starts at 6,620 feet and climbs to 9,400 feet, beginning near Haflin Creek. This trail rises above the creek, crosses and reaches the top of the ridge above the stream source for a good view of the river valley below.
Stevens Creek to Missionary Ridge is 7.3 miles one way and is usually a good hike in the shoulder season because of its solar exposure. It begins about a half mile north of Risco Rojo (can be very difficult to see the trail marker) and ends at Forest Trail 543 - Missionary Ridge Trail.
Missionary Ridge Road
Interested in a drive? Missionary Ridge Road is just over a mile north of Risco Rojo and provides excellent vehicle access to a variety of high country activities, including some spectacular hikes.
Trimble Hot Springs
Trimble Hot Springs sits just three miles away from Risco Rojo on CR 203. A nice way to unwind after a day of play.
The Bar D Chuckwagon Suppers
Less than half a mile south of Risco Rojo is the Bar D Chuckwagon, serving up a delicious barbeque supper and festive western stage show. (You can actually hear them faintly from Risco Rojo.)
Dalton Ranch Golf Course
About 2.5 miles away from Risco Rojo on CR 252 is Dalton Ranch Golf Course. It also has a nice restaurant and bar.