A's and W's Trail

About

A's and W's Trail is a 0.9-mile moderate mountain biking route in Rifle, Colorado, located at an elevation of 5,680 feet. The trail is accessible from April through October and typically takes about 13 minutes to complete. Riders enter the trail from a small pull-off on the north side of the paved road, shortly after the pavement ends. The route involves dropping into a dry creek bed and ascending a short 4x4 road before connecting to singletrack. The trail features curves that allow riders to maintain speed, with a distinct technical section where the path drops abruptly into the creek bed and rises back out. Helper rocks assist with this transition, though flash floods can alter the bank angle. The singletrack is easy to follow and crosses one wide road used for target shooting before ending at another 4x4 road, where riders can connect to Lower Sidewinder. Parking is available at the trailhead or at a well-maintained BLM lot 2.0 miles further down the road near the Y intersection. The area is active for recreational target shooting, particularly on weekends and in the evenings. Riders should be aware of unrestricted shooting activity and potential debris, including target fragments and ammunition casings, on the trail surface. The trail is pet-friendly.