Tour of Western Colorado, Stage 3 (San Miguel river)
The San Miguel River flows through southwestern Colorado, starting high in the San Juan Mountains near Telluride. Known for its scenic beauty, it offers a mix of lush riparian areas, deep canyons, and red sandstone cliffs. It’s one of the few free-flowing rivers left in Colorado, meaning it hasn’t been heavily dammed or diverted. The San Miguel River Valley supports diverse wildlife, including beavers, bald eagles, and black bears. It’s also home to rare plant species such as narrowleaf cottonwood and various willows.
Region: Colorado
City: Gateway
Distance: 46.43 km
Elevation Gain: 427 m
Elevation Loss: 240 m
Difficulty: 245 (Easy)
FIETS Index: 0.09 FIETS
Avg Grade: 0.44 %
Max cat climb: 3
Min elevation: 1441 m
Max elevation: 1636 m
Ride Category: Rollers