The Vapor Trail 125 course is a diverse buffet of Colorado mountain biking. Riders can expect everything from varied dirt roads to highly technical singletrack, lengthy hike-a-bikes to rough jeep roads, and smooth singletrack. Below, you'll find a detailed explanation of the course. It is approximately 125 miles long with 16,000 ft of climbing.
DISCLAIMER: Course is subject to change based on event permitting, trail closures, trail re-routes, etc. The most current course will always be represented below. Any notable changes and a file GPS file will be emailed to racers before race weekend.
VIEW / DOWNLOAD THE VAPOR TRAIL 125 COURSE
Start to Aid #1
26.5 miles, 4,000 ft climbing
The the race begins at 10 PM on the F Street Bridge in Downtown Salida and proceeds out of town via Poncha Boulevard and County Road 140. After crossing Hwy 285, you will continue on paved CR 140 to dirt CR 250, then turn right onto dirt CR 250A. These dirt roads will lead you up to the Colorado Trail. The Colorado Trail is the first section of technical singletrack, heading north toward the famous 14er, Mount Princeton. After this impressive section of the Colorado Trail, you will turn left onto CR 290 and pedal 0.4 miles to Aid Station #1 (Cascade) at 26.5 miles.
Aid #1 to Aid #2
30 miles, 5,100 ft climbing
Leaving Aid #1: Then, you climb the old Chalk Creek railroad grade and turn left (west) on CR 162. Your next turn is south onto CR 295 as you head towards the Hancock town site. Once you reach the Hancock town site, continue straight on the Alpine Tunnel Railroad Grade for about 0.6 miles, where you'll make a tight left turn onto the Continental Divide Trail singletrack. You'll climb the CDT singletrack through the trees until you intersect Hancock Pass jeep road well above the tree line. Turn right onto Hancock Pass jeep road and then climb to the pass at over 12,000 ft. Once at the pass, ensure your brakes are working and your dropper post is lowered. You will then descend the south side of Hancock Pass. At the bottom, turn left (south) onto Tomichi Pass Rd. Proceed up to Tomichi Pass along a popular jeep road with a few small water crossings and variable road conditions. After crossing Tomichi Pass, you will only descend for 0.25 miles, then turn right onto the infamous Canyon Creek Trail. The ascent of Canyon Creek Trail is just under 1 mile long; however, 95% of it is a hike-a-bike that takes you to the race's high point at 12,600 feet. The descent is 8.5 miles long, the most technical part of the race, often tackled in the dark. There’s a short climb after this incredible descent, which then drops down to USFS Road 888 (Tomichi Pass Road). Turn left onto the road, then immediately right into Snowblind Campground, which is Aid Station #2 (56.4 miles).
Aid #2 to Aid #3
14 miles, 2,500 ft climbing
From aid Station #2: Proceed south on USFS Road 888 for 4 miles to the bottom of Old Monarch Pass Road, where you will turn left. While not steep, Old Monarch Pass Road is a long and tedious climb. Settle in. After cresting Old Monarch Pass, descend for less than 0.2 miles and take a right onto singletrack that leads to Hwy 50. Carefully cross the highway and turn left (north) to reach the Monarch At The Crest Store and Aid Station #3 (70.5 miles). Aid Station #3 is well stocked and provides access to your drop bag. It’s also a good place to assess remaining energy, as you still have 55 miles to go, including 35 miles of singletrack.you to Hwy 50. Take care crossing the highway and turn left (North) to reach the Monarch At The Crest Store and Aid Station #3 (70.5 miles). Aid Station #3 is well stocked and here you will have access to your drop bag. Aid Station #3 is also a great place to decide how much you have left in the tank, as you will still have 55 miles to ride, with 35 miles of it being singletrack.
Aid #3 to Aid #4
11 miles, 1,050 ft climbing
From Aid #3: You will take the stunning Monarch Crest Trail to Marshall Pass and Aid Station #4 (80.9 miles). The Monarch Crest Trail offers some of the best riding on the entire route! Not to mention the planet! Every summer, people come from all around the world to ride this iconic trail.
Aid #4 to Aid #5
11 miles, 2,100 ft climbing
Aid Station #4 also serves as Aid Station #5, since you'll pass through it twice. From Aid Station #4, you'll ride a nice section of the Colorado Trail to the Starvation Creek Trail intersection, where you'll turn left and descend Starvation Creek. At the bottom of Starvation Creek Trail, you'll turn left onto Poncha Creek Road, which features a 4.5-mile climb. For many previous racers, this section is the breaking point, especially since it usually occurs in the heat of the day. You'll then pass Marshall Pass again, which is Aid Station #5 (92.1 miles).
Aid #5 to Finish
29.2 miles, 900 ft climbing
You will then ride the same section of Colorado Trail singletrack back to the Starvation Creek Trail intersection, but this time you will turn right and stay on the Colorado Trail. Stay on the Colorado Trail until the Silver Creek Trail, where you will turn left. Enjoy the amazing descent down to the Rainbow Trail, but remember that the very last section of single track on Silver Creek is privately owned by Steve Miller (not "fly like an eagle" Steve Miller), and he has permitted us to cross this section of his land. PLEASE BE RESPECTFUL of this, as without his permission, we'd be SOL! Then jump on the Rainbow Trail and savor the last fun, but cruel joke, the VT125 course will play on you. The Rainbow Trailhead to town is about 20 miles with 1,000 feet of climbing. The Rainbow Trail has a few annoying power climbs and then finishes with a fun descent to Hwy 285. The last road section of the course is Hwy 285 to County Road 120 (turn right on CR 120) after passing through Poncha Springs. CR 120 is 95% downhill to the finish line at Absolute Bikes!