Backside

Dogs Leashed

Features Geological Significance · Views

Backside is a steep, foot-traffic-only trail (hiking/running) providing a direct route from the F Street Trailhead, in downtown Salida, to the back of S Mountain. The trail features numerous stone steps, including a neat staircase feature that utilizes the area's unique geology. Although the trail is steep, it is not technically challenging. There are great views throughout of the surrounding area, including the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

A second phase of construction is planned for Fall 2023, to connect Backside to the existing Pano Trail, which is also open only to foot traffic.

Salida Mountain Trails (SMT), a nonprofit that stewards 65 miles of singletrack around Salida, built this trail with help from two youth crews: Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) and EcoServants. The project was funded in large part thanks to a Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) grant.