Trail difficulty
Blue
Elevation Gain
0.00 ft (0.00 m)
Trail type
Shuttle
Distance
2.70 mi (4.35 km)
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

Although almost all of the mountain biking at Buffalo Creek is amazing, there are a few standout trails like Sandy Wash that have an almost cult-like following.

Your bike will gobble up the trail as it cuts like a knife through the pea-sized granite banks that grace every corner on this twisty decent. Most of the area is made-up of easily weathered and very crumbly feldspar crystals, not sand. Its colors sparkle in the sun with hues of pink and stark white on the landscape. Although not as easy to reach as other trails at Buffalo Creek, this one should not be missed if you have enough time to incorporate it in your loop. 

The Sandy Wash Trail can be accessed by either Homestead Trail or Miller Gulch, and then it's a flowing fast descent all the way down to Buffalo Creek Road. After riding Sandy Wash once, you will see why so many people choose this as one of their favorites in the area. If you have the time, be sure to check out Little Scraggy, another local standard.

Join the effort to protect these places

Conservation Colorado has worked with communities around the state for over 50 years in pursuit of its mission - to protect Colorado’s environment and quality of life by mobilizing people and electing conservation-minded policymakers. It fights to protect the air, land, water, and people of Colorado. Their collaborative approach and focus on electing pro-conservation officials has yielded successes in addressing climate change, supporting clean energy development, conserving water resources, and protecting our public wildlands and rivers.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Spring
Summer
Fall

Congestion

Moderate

Parking Pass

Not Required

Pros

A wonderfully sculpted trail full of pea-sized gravel.

Cons

The gravel here can make you loose your traction in the corners.

Pets allowed

Allowed

Trailhead Elevation

7,449.00 ft (2,270.46 m)

Features

Backcountry camping
Bird watching
Wildlife
Big Game Watching
Big vistas
Wildflowers
Big Game Watching

Suitable for

Hiking
Horseback

Location

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