Aspen Ridge Ride
This is a pleasant, day long ride from one end of Aspen Ridge to the other. The well graveled roads eventually give way to more rugged roads that give one the sense of adventure without being too daring.
The Route:
From the north end, one goes through several wide-open mountain parks. Quick side trips can be made to old cabins, a ghost town, or out to the ridge edge to see the Arkansas valley below.
The road turns into a jeep road as you head south into a vast stand of aspen. Watch for old cabins and signs of mining. This area is closed in winter for Elk winter range.
As you head south out of the aspen to you can choose to keep heading south or double back via the road to the left. The left fork has a "secret" jeep trail that connects back to the main road.
The road to the south enters into an area that was extensively mined for rock such as marble, and for precious metals. A side trip to the west off this road can be made to the old mining town of Turret.
The road begins to improve and eventually joins up with an old railroad bed. This railroad came up from Salida to the marble mines.