Aspen Ridge

4.4/5 (23 reviews)
Johnson Village, Colorado (Chaffee County)
Last Updated: 06/03/2021

Trail Information

Highlights

Aspen Ridge features open ranges, dense forests, and wide views. As the name implies, the 10,000ft elevation ridge is covered in Aspen trees. The Forest Service Road is generally a graded dirt road that travels in a north-south track. The road crosses broad meadows providing expansive views of the Collegiate Peaks. Despite rougher conditions at elevation, the entire road is easily navigable by a stock 4WD vehicle. Aspen Ridge is popular among ATV and motorcycle riders, mountain bikers, and equestrians who enjoy the wide open spaces. There's dispersed camping available along all segments of the road, and nearby towns of Nathrop, Johnson Village, Buena Vista, and Salida offer commercial campgrounds, motel lodging, and outdoor supplies.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Navigation

Trail Reviews

4.4/5 (23 reviews)
Open
Rated 4/5
Visited: 09/30/2022
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

The trail is open and ran north to south. Fall colors are only going to be around for about another week or so when we drove through. Did not pass any other vehicles the entire route.
Open
Rated 4/5
Visited: 06/01/2022
Difficulty Accuracy: Easier

Pretty easy and popular trail. Lots of dirt bikes and razors that seemed to not be very experienced. I imagine this a great place to see the leaves change in the fall. Be prepared for a lot of people.
Seasonal Closure
Visited: 04/17/2022

Gate closed coming from Salida.
Seasonal Closure
Visited: 02/10/2022
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

We went as far as the closed gate at way point 8. There were a few spots where the snow was deep enough to require effort to get through it, but as a whole passable to the gate
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 07/26/2021

Ran from north to south. First part is nice and smooth, then comes the part through the trees and it gets a bit bumpy, some places you may need to choose your line wisely, Finally comes the gravel section leading down to Salida. This will make a great fall trip when the aspens have turned, and we intend to return for that.

From the Community

Start a free trial and get this level of detail on every trail guide
Start Free Trial