’Tis the season for epic adventure rides! Thanks to the RFMBA Seasonal Trail Crew’s massive tree cutting efforts, we are proud to announce the Red Table Trail is now clear of deadfall and ready to rip!
This remote trail connecting the high reaches of Red Table Road to the Cattle Creek/Basalt Mountain network offers stunning views and a beautiful descent through golden aspen goodness.
After 5 miles of descending (mixed with a few short climbs and one short push) Red Table flows into the freshly cleared Cattle Creek trail making this journey one of the finest fall descents in the Roaring Fork Valley.
Due to the remoteness of the trail and the rocky chunk found in the Cattle Creek descent, we would rate this ride as a Difficult/Expert backcountry adventure. Bring everything you might need and ride with caution. It’s a long way home.
Access to the upper Red Table Trail drop-in is not for the meek. It can be ridden either as an out-and-back or part of a larger loop. We have come up with three suggested routes — none of which is easy.
Option 1. Out and Back From Upper Basalt Trailhead: (17 miles 2,200ft). Drive and park at top of Basalt Mountain Road. Ride Basalt Mountain Trail four miles to Cattle Creek/Red Table Intersection. Continue onto Red Table Trail, past Toner Reservoir and begin climbing another 1,600 feet along a series of ridges to the upper Red Table Trailhead (or as far as you want to go). Turn around and ride the same route back to the upper Basalt Mountain Trailhead.
Option 2. Out and Back from Lower Basalt Mountain Parking Lot. Return on Cattle Creek descent. (24 miles 4,000ft). Park at the lower Basalt Mountain parking lot and bike 5 miles up the Basalt Mountain road. Follow the same course as Option 1 but return to the Lower Basalt Mountain parking lot via the Cattle Creek trail.
Option 3. Loop via Cattle Creek Road/Cottonwood Pass (40 Miles/6,500ft). Park at Basalt Mountain Lower Parking Lot. Ride Cattle Creek Road, Cottonwood, Red Table Road (10 mile grind), Taylor Spur Road. Red Table Trail, Cattle Creek descent.
Shuttle Option: While shuttling to the upper drop-in is possible via Cottonwood Pass and Red Table Road, be aware the drive is on a rugged jeep road and could take 1.5 to 2 hours (one-way) depending on road conditions.
