Ripsaw

Rating: 
One-way Distance: .48 km
Difficulty: Moderate
XC Skill level:
Elevation: 9459 - 9522 feet
Cellphone: 0-3 bars
Time: 15 mins.
Trailhead: Priest Lake Nordic Trails
Fee: $15 donation
Attractions: Advanced Nordic

The Ripsaw trail is located in the Priest Lake Nordic Trails area near Telluride, Colorado. The upper end of the trail begins near the junction of the Priest Lake and Railroad Grade trails where it descends along a groomed route and rejoins the Priest Lake trail near the point where it intersects with the Hidden Valley trail.

The Ripsaw, Priest Lake and Ski Hill trails all come together at one point a little over a quarter mile from the west end of the Railroad Grade trail.

Going in this direction the Ripsaw trail is all downhill.

The trail is only 3 tenths of a mile from one end to another with an average grade of 7%. There are spots where the grade shoots up to 15% and that is probably what gives the trail its 'Most Difficult' rating.

There are a couple of turns to make but nothing too sharp.

The steepest part of the trail comes near the end where the trail cascades down another hill that has a nice long runout to it.

The trail comes to a quick end when it meets back up with the Priest Lake trail. The slideshow at the end of this post is only about 15 seconds long. If we would have had the GoPro it wouldn't have been much longer. From here you have the option to take the Priest Lake trail in either direction or jump onto the Hidden Valley trail. We followed Priest Lake down to Elk Wallow where we went on to Middle Meadow and then backup up Priest Lake again. Ripsaw is a nice trail for those looking for a good downhill run or an uphill workout. If you would like to see it for yourself then all you have to do is 'Take a hike'.