Moderate: Smokin' Smuggler™ |
Difficult: Little Annie Road |
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Smokin' Smuggler™
This unsupervised ride
begins from Aspen and will be well-marked after 12:00 PM on Thursday. It provides a person who
is in relatively good physical conditioning with
an outstanding overlook of the town of Aspen
and three ski areas by riding up the mountain
on the other side of the valley. Should you need
to get a bit more acclimated to the altitude
or getting started later in the afternoon, we
suggest you consider taking the Rio Grande ride
described in the Cruiser Section because this
relatively flat path changes to dirt after 2
miles and follows the scenic Roaring Fork River
all the way to Basalt.
Smuggler Mountain, also referred to as Hunter
Creek #130, is a well-maintained 4WD dirt road
rated as moderate with heavy use. Its length
is 5.5 miles (8.8 km) one way It provides a short
1 ½ mile work out with great overlooks
of the valley below then continues through Hunter
Creek with only moderate usage. The beginning
elevation is 7,900 feet (2408 m), rises to 9,000
feet (2745 m), and circles back to the town at
7,900 feet (2408 m).
Little Annie Road
Little Annie Road is a 4.5 miles road that climbs gradually past several private drives in the first few miles. The route becomes steeper and climbs approximately 3 miles to the intersection of the Midnight Mine Road. Keep going straight to continue to the top of Aspen Mountain and the Sundeck Restaurant with spectacular, 360-degree views. At the top, you are given the option to access the Richmond Hill Road which follows the ridge behind Aspen Mountain.
This road is fairly well maintained and heavily traveled by 4WD vehicles on weekends that is accessed by heading west from Aspen for 1/2 mile on Highway 82 to the Roundabout. Follow the circle and turn right on Castle Creek Road and follow the pavement for 7 miles. Little Annie Road is on the left with a small parking area on the right. A loop ride can be made by going up Little Annie Road and down the Midnight Mine Road.
Beginning Elevation: 9,000 ft. (2,743 m)
Ending Elevation: 11,212 ft. (3,417 m)
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