Review
Intro
The Rim Trail, located right outside of Snowmass Resort, is a beautiful, is non-technical loop featuring fun, flowy single track and spectacular views of the surrounding Elk Mountain Range. This is great trail for beginner riders or anyone looking for a fun, not-too-challenging ride. The climbs are very rideable, and the descents are smooth and fast.
What Makes It Great
Most mountain biking trails in Aspen require a somewhat rigorous uphill ride, but Rim Trail is one of the few, if not the only, uphill ride that is considerably easier on the lungs. And when it’s time to descend there are also few trails, save for Sky Mountain Park, that can compete with its smoothness.
Start at the Divide Drive apartment parking lot right off of Brush Creek Road. From there, you’ll begin your 700-vertical-foot ascent up a couple switchbacks to the summit, but the trail is smooth and the climb isn’t too difficult, even for those who aren’t acclimated to the elevation. At the summit, take a left and ascend for an extra 100 yards to a lookout platform and memorial altar which provides unforgettable views of Snowmass and Mt. Daly. From there, prepare for an ultra-smooth, fast descent dotted with a handful of abrupt—but short—climbs. The descent will take you to a road crossing. Here you can decide to end the ride or you can continue across the parking lot for a second climb. The second climb is steeper and more exposed than the first, but still enjoyable, and the final descent makes it well-worth the sweat equity.The last leg of Rim trail traverses along a ridge-line, which offers unforgettable views, before descending through aspen and sage meadows and ending up back at the Rodeo Parking Lot and your car. This descent is even faster than the first, but be prepared for tight burms, sometimes with loose dirt, that may cause you to reduce your speed.
Who is Going to Love It
It's almost as if this trail was specifically designed for intermediate mountain bikers. The easy to moderate climb and smooth turns provide a confidence-building haven for a mountain biker looking to test their progressing skills in a comfortable manner. However, beginners will even appreciate the trail for its non-technical nature and speedy experts will love ripping down the flowy trail.
Directions, Parking, & Regulations
Drive six miles from downtown Aspen to Brush Creek Road, turn left and drive about 3.5 miles to the Rodeo parking, which is just past the roundabout. Hop on the Brush Creek Bike Path for about 3.5 miles until you’ve reached Divide Drive, which is near the upper reaches of the Snowmass Village. The trailhead is located on the lefthand side of the apartment parking lot.
