Co Rd 243 to Forest Rd 597D
Gravel Segment
22.81 mi
Length
4,380 ft
Elev gain
1,447 ft
Elev loss
11,575 ft
Max elevation
gravel 100%
Elevation Click the profile for Street View
Co Rd 243 to Forest Rd 597D is a 22.8-mile point-to-point gravel segment running from Durango to Bayfield, Colorado. It gains 4,380 feet and loses 1,447 feet over the course of the route. The riding surface is 100% gravel. AI-generated description — details may not be fully accurate.
0 votes
on July 10, 2026
This route is NOT for gravel bikes. I took my hardtail mtb and I was SUPER glad that I did. The surface is perhaps 80% chunky, with fields of embedded rocks, especially in the first 3.5 miles of the climb. The last 3 or 4 miles before the trailhead are steep chunky and at times technical. The descent is fun but took almost an hour due to the chunk. While I enjoyed riding up here and getting above 11,000 feet, I won't be back for another go.