The Wet Mountains are a formidable feature of granite rock to ride over on this route. This range earned its name from Native American, and Spanish, translations for the high precipitation it receives. It can be done as a single-day ride, or multi-day bikepacking experience. Summer and fall are ideal.
After SH 165, you’ll navigate the roads of the San Isabel National Forest, one of the 11 original national forests established in Colorado. When approaching Walsenburg in Huerfano County, you’ll ride on the historic Taos Mountain Trail via C.R. 521. It connected northern New Mexico and
southern Colorado. The Taos Pueblos used the route to trade with Plains tribes, and was later adopted by traders at El Pueblo. Legend says the pathway was even used to trade as far south as Mexico with the Aztecs.