
Past Two Weeks





+ 42
Turret Ghost Town Out-and-Back
Gravel Riding Trail
Hard
26.07 mi
3,383 ft
A scenic out-and-back ride to a little-visited ghost town.
Unlike some of the gravel road rides in the region, this route leads to a rewarding destination: the ghost town of Turret!
Gold was discovered in Turret in 1897, leading to a small gold rush and a booming mining town. The mines were massively productive for several years, but the post office in Turret eventually closed in 1939, signaling the end of the town’s significance.
These days, you can pedal around the town of Turret and check out the old ruins of cabins and town buildings. The property is all privately owned, so please stay on the main streets. Some of the buildings have been renovated and are still lived in, and some of the cabins are newer construction.
To reach Turret, pedal out of Salida on the stiff climb up CR 175. Follow the route mapped here, along with the signs for Turret, to turn left and left again to head toward the ghost town. At one point, there is a split in the road where either direction will bring you to Turret, but as shown in the route here, one of the roads is better for climbing, and one makes for a rocky descent.
As you pedal along the side of the ridge while traversing toward Turret, views of the Sawatch mountain range open up before you. The vistas from a couple thousand feet above the valley floor are absolutely breathtaking! Be sure to pause and savor the spectacular views at the high point before the descent into Turret.
The descent to Turret is fast and flowy, but realize that you’ll have to pedal back the way you came to return to Salida. All of the other roads leaving Turret eventually dead-end, and even if you think you can make a connection to a different road… it’s ultimately not possible. This ride is a mandatory out-and-back, so just be sure to plan accordingly.
For additional mileage, consider connecting a visit to Turret with [Aspen Ridge](
Sources:
Written by Greg Heil
Unlike some of the gravel road rides in the region, this route leads to a rewarding destination: the ghost town of Turret!
Gold was discovered in Turret in 1897, leading to a small gold rush and a booming mining town. The mines were massively productive for several years, but the post office in Turret eventually closed in 1939, signaling the end of the town’s significance.
These days, you can pedal around the town of Turret and check out the old ruins of cabins and town buildings. The property is all privately owned, so please stay on the main streets. Some of the buildings have been renovated and are still lived in, and some of the cabins are newer construction.
To reach Turret, pedal out of Salida on the stiff climb up CR 175. Follow the route mapped here, along with the signs for Turret, to turn left and left again to head toward the ghost town. At one point, there is a split in the road where either direction will bring you to Turret, but as shown in the route here, one of the roads is better for climbing, and one makes for a rocky descent.
As you pedal along the side of the ridge while traversing toward Turret, views of the Sawatch mountain range open up before you. The vistas from a couple thousand feet above the valley floor are absolutely breathtaking! Be sure to pause and savor the spectacular views at the high point before the descent into Turret.
The descent to Turret is fast and flowy, but realize that you’ll have to pedal back the way you came to return to Salida. All of the other roads leaving Turret eventually dead-end, and even if you think you can make a connection to a different road… it’s ultimately not possible. This ride is a mandatory out-and-back, so just be sure to plan accordingly.
For additional mileage, consider connecting a visit to Turret with [Aspen Ridge](
Sources:
Written by Greg Heil
Route and Elevation
Segments
Name | Distance | Elev. Diff. | Avg. Grade |
---|---|---|---|
1000 foot stair | 3.44 mi | 1,004 ft | 5.4% |
Ain't Nobody Got Time For Turret | 9.41 mi | 2,005 ft | 4.0% |
CR 175 Cottonwood Climb | 5.96 mi | 1,706 ft | 5.4% |
cottonwood climb | 6.03 mi | 1,660 ft | 5.2% |
Up Ute trail to N. Backbone | 2.04 mi | 525 ft | 4.8% |
Piñon push | 1.86 mi | 548 ft | 5.6% |
Ute Trail First Dirt to Second Cattle Guard | 5.01 mi | 1,490 ft | 5.6% |
earn your turns | 3.92 mi | 1,152 ft | 5.6% |
County Road 175 Climb - Long | 3.90 mi | 1,109 ft | 5.4% |
case of the steepies | 0.75 mi | 279 ft | 7.0% |
County Road 175 Climb | 1.21 mi | 269 ft | 4.2% |
County Road 175 Climb | 1.69 mi | 348 ft | 3.9% |
County Road 184 Climb | 0.79 mi | 361 ft | 8.6% |
The Twisty Wall of 184 | 0.51 mi | 230 ft | 8.4% |
County Road 184 Climb | 1.31 mi | 387 ft | 5.6% |
184 to Ute Trail Climb | 1.25 mi | 282 ft | 4.3% |
Ute Trail Descent | 1.55 mi | -371 ft | -4.4% |
Fun-ass turn | 0.14 mi | -23 ft | -3.0% |