TGIF Expedition: Rollins Pass
Saturday, August 8
📍 Meet: East Portal (Moffat Tunnel) Parking Area
🕡 Meet: 6:30 AM
🚴 Roll Out: 7:00 AM
🌮 Lunch in Winter Park at Terrain Taco: 11AM - 12PM (depending on group pace)
If there was ever a ride that embodied adventure, this is it.
Join us for one of Colorado's most iconic high-alpine mountain bike rides as we traverse the historic Rollins Pass railroad grade over the Continental Divide. Long before the Moffat Tunnel opened in 1928, trains climbed this rugged route through towering trestles, alpine tundra, and the famous Needle's Eye Tunnel—an engineering marvel blasted through solid rock more than 11,000 feet above sea level. Today, the abandoned rail grade remains one of Colorado's most spectacular backcountry adventures, lined with remnants of century-old railroad ties, historic trestles, and sweeping views of alpine lakes and some of the Front Range's highest peaks.
We'll meet at the East Portal parking area of the Moffat Tunnel and roll promptly at 7:00 AM to stay ahead of the afternoon thunderstorms that frequently develop above treeline during Colorado summers.
Our route climbs steadily toward the Continental Divide before we shoulder our bikes and hike over the closed Needle's Eye Tunnel and across the famous trestles, the most memorable sections of the day. From there we'll descend into Winter Park for lunch at Terrain Taco, refill bottles, restock snacks, and then turn around to do it all again—crossing Rollins Pass twice before finishing back where we started.
This is a true Colorado backcountry adventure.
Expect rough, rocky, unmaintained roads, extended climbing, hike-a-bike, and long stretches without services. Mountain weather changes quickly above treeline, and a bluebird morning can quickly become cold rain, hail, or afternoon thunderstorms.
Come prepared to be self-sufficient. We strongly recommend carrying a hydration pack, extra food, and a lightweight waterproof shell. The mountains don't care how strong you are or how expensive your bike is—respect the mountains, come prepared, and they'll reward you with one of the best days you'll ever have on a bike.
What to Bring
- Mountain bike
- Helmet
-Hydration pack or water filter (strongly recommended)
- Plenty of water and electrolytes
- Ride nutrition (plus money for lunch in Winter Park)
- Spare tube, tire plugs, multi-tool, pump or CO₂
-Sunscreen
-Lightweight waterproof shell
-Extra warm layer
-Fully charged phone
Ride Notes
- TGIF Expedition
- Fully self-supported
- Remote backcountry with limited to no cell service
- Above-treeline riding
- Afternoon storms are common
- Expect hike-a-bike over the Needle's Eye Tunnel
- Rough, rocky, unmaintained roads
- Mountain bike recommended
- Lunch stop in Winter Park at Terrain Taco (approx mile 30)
This isn't a ride to chase average speed.
It's a ride you'll be talking about long after it's ends.
Some adventures are too good to cross just once.
DOWNLOAD ROUTE HERE (Please download the GPX to get all ride notifications on your device. If you don’t have a bike computer, please make a free account and you can get turn-by-turn navigation using this route)
Sign Waiver HERE