The Maze

Rating: 
One-way Distance: 1 mile
Difficulty: Moderate
MTB Skill level:
Elevation: 7024 - 7232 feet
Cellphone: 1-4 bars
Time: 30 mins.
Trailhead: County Road 10
Fee: none
Attractions: Good singletrack

The Maze trail is located in the RAT-Ridgway Area Trails System near Ridgway, Colorado. The upper end of the trail begins off of Rattus Maximus around the 0.9/1.3 mile point. As the trail heads south it it makes connections with Squeeker, is crossed by Rattus Maximus, splits and offers an optional route, and then comes to an end across the gravel pit road from the lower end of Rattus Maximus.

The Maze tends to be ridden in either direction. This post follows it from north to south by beginning where it splits off from Rattus Maximus.

The trail starts out through the trees on a good singletrack.

Before going very far Squeeker branches off on the right.

At the next fork there is a short spur trail that runs over to the gravel pit road.

The trail continues making an easy run through the trees and then it drops into a small drainage where it cuts back and forth riding in and out of the bottom of it.

Rattus Maximus joins up with the Maze as they climb out of the wash and kiss up against the road. The lower end of Squeeker also joins back in near this spot.

The two trails run along the side of the road for a short distance until they split up again with Rattus Maximus forking off and crossing to the other side of the road.

A deeper canyon comes up along the right side of the trail but The Maze sticks to the higher ground.

As the route progresses it finds another shallow wash to play in.

This is where The Maze splits with one fork that is labeled 'ZZ' dropping into a small canyon where it runs along a cliffy section before climbing back up to the main trail. The other route is labeled 'Z' and it sticks to the higher ground along the top of the canyon. The ZZ route has one spot that might be considered an advanced skill level.

The two branches of the trail rejoin each other and continue on around to the road where The Maze comes to an end. The southern end of Rattus Maximus is directly across the road. The land between this point and County Road 10 is private property so to get back to the trailhead by the quickest route all you have to do is follow the road. It is 1 mile out to County Road 10 but its all downhill. The Maze is a good alternative to Rattus Maximus on this side of the hill. If you would like to see it for yourself then all you have to do is grab your bike or 'Take a hike'.

NOTE: All trails are closed between December 1 to April 30.