Gunni Gravel
Friday August 2 - Monday August 5 Gunnison, CO
Where our gravel gals at? This route is designed specifically for our gravel lovers in mind. Our longest trip of the summer, you’ll spend three nights out on the trail together with plenty of time in the saddle during the day. Highlights of this trip include well maintained gravel roads, sagebrush seas, interesting rock formations, and San Juan Mountain views. Parts of this trip follow two iconic bikepacking routes: The Colorado Trail Bike Route as well as The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. Two nights we will camp under the stars but one night of lodging will be at our favorite bikepacking cabins: Cathedral Ranch Cabins where you will be welcomed by Brad and Annette to their family ranch for the night. This is a trip you don’t want to miss!
*Note: There is a 10 rider minimum to run this trip.
Friday August 2 - Monday August 5 Gunnison, CO
Where our gravel gals at? This route is designed specifically for our gravel lovers in mind. Our longest trip of the summer, you’ll spend three nights out on the trail together with plenty of time in the saddle during the day. Highlights of this trip include well maintained gravel roads, sagebrush seas, interesting rock formations, and San Juan Mountain views. Parts of this trip follow two iconic bikepacking routes: The Colorado Trail Bike Route as well as The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. Two nights we will camp under the stars but one night of lodging will be at our favorite bikepacking cabins: Cathedral Ranch Cabins where you will be welcomed by Brad and Annette to their family ranch for the night. This is a trip you don’t want to miss!
*Note: There is a 10 rider minimum to run this trip.
Friday August 2 - Monday August 5 Gunnison, CO
Where our gravel gals at? This route is designed specifically for our gravel lovers in mind. Our longest trip of the summer, you’ll spend three nights out on the trail together with plenty of time in the saddle during the day. Highlights of this trip include well maintained gravel roads, sagebrush seas, interesting rock formations, and San Juan Mountain views. Parts of this trip follow two iconic bikepacking routes: The Colorado Trail Bike Route as well as The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. Two nights we will camp under the stars but one night of lodging will be at our favorite bikepacking cabins: Cathedral Ranch Cabins where you will be welcomed by Brad and Annette to their family ranch for the night. This is a trip you don’t want to miss!
*Note: There is a 10 rider minimum to run this trip.
Start/ End Location
Hartman Rocks in Gunnison, CO
What to expect
A welcoming, inclusive, supportive, and judgement-free space to adventure together and build community on the trail.
We are NO DROP kind of gals! We will be regrouping often at meeting points/junctions. You will always be riding with a trip leader to support you and cheer you on. Aside from riding we will be camping together, eating together and being badass together!
A gravel bike is recommended.
Route is mostly well-maintained gravel roads with some more technical doubletrack thrown in here and there.
Riding mileage
Day 1 - 10 miles, 1200ft climbing. Gravel and doubletrack.
Day 2 - 40 miles and 3900ft of climbing on well maintained gravel.
Day 3 - 30 miles and 2000ft of climbing. Well maintained gravel with a small pavement section.
Day 4 - 35 miles and 2800ft of climbing. Well maintained gravel and some chunkier doubletrack.
There will be some sections where we will be hiking our bike. But we will ALL be hiking together!
Riders on this route should feel comfortable with long days in the saddle at a conversational pace. Should be comfortable with extended climbs, gravel, doubletrack, and hiking your bike when needed.
Who is this trip for?
All gals (cis or transgender) and non-binary individuals who identify with the women’s community
What is the plan?
Friday - Everyone will meet mid-day at the trailhead for introductions and a packing party where we help you with the puzzle that is packing your bike for the weekend. We will hit the trail that afternoon, stopping along the way for snacks and to admire the beautiful Hartman Rocks. We will roll into camp that evening, set up tents, get cozy, and eat a yummy backcountry group dinner. Optional hike down to Beaver Creek. Head to bed early to rest up before our big day of riding the next day.
Saturday - After breakfast, pack up, and set off for the day’s ride. We will be riding all day at a friendly pace - stopping for water, snacks, lunch, and dance parties along the way. Enjoy today’s smooth gravel as the miles fly by. Ride alongside beautiful Cebolla Creek before arriving to Cathedral Cabins that night, a true bikepacking paradise! We will have the chance to resupply here and take advantage of Brad and Annette’s little slice of heaven. Special dinner tonight is prepared by your Galpackas Trip Leaders while you take advantage of a hot shower and some R&R. Optional walk up to their fishing ponds if you want to stretch your legs a bit. Sleep in the comfortable and historic cabins as you listen to their babbling brook outside your window.
Sunday - Eat a hearty breakfast before we say our goodbyes to Brad and Annette and start the climb up Los Pinos Pass. Enjoy views of the San Juan Mountains from the top, before descending down the other side. Continuing on this segment of the Colorado Trail Bike Route we will ride into open Cochetopa Park through fragrant sagebrush seas until we reach Cochetopa Creek - where we will be camping for the night. Recap the day’s beauty over dinner at camp before sleeping under the stars.
Monday - Our last day of riding will not disappoint. After breakfast at camp we pack up and hit the trail. Today we will need our climbing legs as we tackle the challenging Lick Creek Climb - maybe hiking our bikes here and there when needed. When you reach the top you will have earned a big descent- about 2300ft over 13 miles or so! This will take us back to the trailhead where you can celebrate your accomplishment with plenty of high-fives and “see ya soons!” Stop through Gunnison on the way home to cheers your accomplishment with a new friend from the trail, you earned it!
Route adapted from Neil Beltchenko contribution on bikepacking.com.
*Please note: our routes are subject to change depending on trail conditions, permitting changes, etc. We will keep you updated if anything changes.
What’s included
Recommended packing lists, maps, GPX file of route
Packing party the day of the trip to help you get everything packed on your bike
2-3 wonderful Trip Leaders to support you and cheer you on - all with first aid training and bikepacking experience
Additional Galpackas leader on call with vehicle for support
GPS beacon with Trip Leaders for emergencies
Water filtering system
Trailside mechanical troubleshooting help and education
All meals on the trail: three breakfasts, three dinners, and two lunches included
Lodging at Cathedral Cabins
Swag bag from our sponsors
Bikepacking bags are available to rent from Galpackas for the weekend. When you sign up for the trip you can add on a reservation from our gear library.
What gear do I need to bring?
Bike/helmet/biking shoes and clothes
Snacks for the trail (meals are provided). Snack resupply available at Cathedral Cabins bikepacking store.
Capacity to carry up to 3L of water
Camping gear: Tent/sleeping bag
* We send out an email with a packing list and group gear once the trip is finalized to run. If you do not have specific gear NO WORRIES, you can make a note when you sign up and we will help you figure it out!
Cancellation Policy
Partial refunds (50%) are available up to 60 days before the event. Within 60 days, no refund or credit is possible. You may transfer your registration to someone else. If we have a waiting list available we will open up your ticket to the waiting list and give you a refund if it is taken.
Additional questions? Check out our FAQ page or email us at info@galpackas.com