CO 12 W

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  • Author: Motobeemer
  • Created: November 1, 2023 8:39 pm
  • Updated: November 13, 2023 4:00 am
Categories:
Tags:
Route type: Ride Through
Difficulty grade: Green (Beginner)
Pavement Quality Good pavement for the entire route, some construction on a bridge but otherwise good to go
Route Type Mild elevation changes, sweepers and a few linked turns but nothing substantial
Traffic Level Minor local traffic
Fuel Stops Trinidad has fuel
Hazards Normal road condition hazards.
  • Distance Instructions
Label
  • Distance 31 miles
  • Time 37 min
  • Speed 50 mph
  • Min altitude 6043 ft
  • Peak 7697 ft
  • Climb 2736 ft
  • Descent 1079 ft









Colorado State Highway 12, or the Highway of Legends National Scenic Byway, starts in Trinidad CO and runs west to Stonewall, CO. I have named this route CO 12 West (W) because this portion of the route is a Green route with nice scenery and just an overall great chill ride, would be nice for a 2 up ride, whereas the other portion of CO 12 (northern) is a much more technical ride.

This route starts out of Trinidad and is pretty tame but any rider on any type of bike could do it, you'll pass through little clusters of old abandoned buildings or towns and enjoy some nice scenery (Trinidad Lake) along the way. Again this could be a great ride for a couple that was 2 up, or a group of couples. Just enough elevation changes and turns to be fun but nothing crazy. The little town of Stonewall is a nice place to pull off and get a drink, take some pictures.

1. CO 12 W

Altitude: 0 ft
Address: 400 San Juan St, Trinidad, CO 81082, USA

State Highway 12 (SH 12), also known as the Highway of Legends National Scenic Byway, in the U.S. state of Colorado is a mountainous state highway through the Rocky Mountains in southern Colorado. The route travels from La Veta through the mountains to Trinidad. It is included in the Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways system and runs through the San Isabel National Forest. In 2021, the highway was designated a National Scenic Byway.

SH 12 begins at the junction with U.S. Route 160 (US 160) north of La Veta. It heads southward through that town before entering the San Isabel National Forest and passing through Cuchara, near the Spanish Peaks Wilderness. It then crosses Cucharas Pass into Las Animas County.

SH 12 heads through Monument Park and turns eastward near Stonewall Gap. It then passes eastward along the Purgatoire River through Weston, Segundo, Valdez, Cokedale, and Jansen. It then ends in Trinidad at an intersection with Interstate 25, US 85, and US 87.

Source: Wikipedia

Colorado State Highway 12, or the Highway of Legends National Scenic Byway, starts in Trinidad CO and runs west to Stonewall, CO. I have named this route CO 12 West (W) because this portion of the route is a Green route with nice scenery and just an overall great chill ride, would be nice for a 2 up ride, whereas the other portion of CO 12 (northern) is a much more technical ride.

This route starts out of Trinidad and is pretty tame but any rider on any type of bike could do it, you’ll pass through little clusters of old abandoned buildings or towns and enjoy some nice scenery (Trinidad Lake) along the way. Again this could be a great ride for a couple that was 2 up, or a group of couples. Just enough elevation changes and turns to be fun but nothing crazy. The little town of Stonewall is a nice place to pull off and get a drink, take some pictures.

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