Phil’s World Trail System
Durango to TH
41 Miles
Gain
315 Feet
Condition
Good
Region
Trail Length
39 Miles
Trails in this system
This fast rolling singletrack ride is a popular trail winding through pinyon and juniper forest. The trail climbs a number of small mesas offering fast descents many with BMX style whoops and jumps. Ride it fast or take your time and enjoy vistas of Mesa Verde, Sleeping Ute Mountain and the La Plata Mountains either way Phil’s World will not disappoint. The Phil’s World trail system is directional so all loops are ridden clockwise. Each section of the trail is conveniently marked with a wooden sign. Best ridden spring through fall and in winter as conditions allow. One of the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) “Backyard to Backcountry” treasures, this trail was developed between Kokopelli Bike Club and the Tres Rios, Colorado BLM office.
Featured Trails:
Lemonhead: Lemonhead drops off a couple of ledges, traverses the hillside and then climbs up to the top of mesa for some more fast cruising. After a few miles, you’ll come to the Cortez overlook which is a good spot to regroup and look West to great views of Totten reservoir and the City of Cortez.
Rib Cage: At the intersection on top of the next saddle, stay left again for the Lemonhead section unless you are short on time and want to go straight for the Rib Cage: a super fun, rolling terrain. Tighten everything up here and prepare for a roller coaster ride. The Rib Cage is a flowy, twisty section with great jumps and berms.
Ledges: Shortly past the Ledges Turnoff, there is an intersection for the Stinking Springs Loop. If you want to avoid this and get straight to the top of the Rib Cage, go straight (on the trail curving to the right or West). The traditional “race lap” turns left onto Stinking Springs for a super fast and smooth climb up to the Pinnacle where you’ll drop into the Vertebrae.
Map & Directions
Map Coordinates: 37.349186, -108.495080
Where's the Trailhead?
dIRECTIONS TO TRAILHEAD
To main trailhead:
From Durango, head west on Highway 160 West. After about one hour, turn right immediately past the Montezuma Fairgrounds into the dirt parking lot. Phil’s World is located just 4 miles outside of Cortez.
Trailwork
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Thursday, September 12 Trailwork
Join us for a weekday trailwork party at [location TBD]. Thank you for volunteering with Trails 2000 at our trailwork party on Thursday, September 12 from 4:30 to 7:30pm!
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Trip Reports and Recent Photos
Phil's World
Submitted by Trail Reporter Pate