Phantom Canyon Loop | Colorado's Best Gravel Route???

In this video, Aaron Beaver is the Canyon City Colorado to ride the Phantom Canyon Loop.
A few days before this ride Aaron had the chance to hang out with the founder of The Rodeo Labs, Mr. Fitzgerald and he told him about this route. So the day before Aaron heads back to North Carolina he heads for the hills. What could go wrong?

Here is a link to the full route:

[bradrugh]

My wife & I rode the Phantom Canyon from Cripple Creek to Canyon city on an Electraglide in Sept 2023. We loved it. Great scenery and views. We called it "26 miles of rumble strips" due to the wash board road. It was amazing. Thanks for the video. We yelled "I remember that!" multiple time while watching your video.

[frankducett]

Aaron, you know better than to mess with high altitude.
I hope you continue to make these videos, they are great.
Bravo.
Stay healthy.

[cyberbri]

I’ll have to do this!! I’ve lived in Colorado my whole life but have never been to this canyon. Thanks for sharing the video!!

[oxpack]

Just did it last weekend. Long way up but worth it when you hit the German bakery in Victor! Take plenty of water (3 bottles at least). Almost no traffic on a weekend.

[alexlarotta]

Thanks for putting this up. So excited to try this loop!! Altitude, and sun at high altitude, is truly humbling. Great effort!!

[MrDavid]

I did this ride in the Fall of 2023. The descent down Shelf Road is incredibly beautiful but has about an hour of severe washboard, but it is so worth it. You will stop often to take pictures. I think this will be a yearly ride.

[WeOutside.liveaf]

All this hard work bro you deserve 10k more subs right now! have so much potential to be a massive channel!

[philtahmindjis]

I will be riding this in a few weeks. Thanks for the video.

[wntofly]

Enjoyed the tour you gave us! I will be riding this route very soon but not on a bike, (getting way too old for that). Going to ride it on an electric unicycle. I had a grin on my face while watching right up to the point I saw your gift from the Cannon City PD. So sorry those pukes had to do that to you! Might be changing our minds about retiring in Cannon City! Thanks for sharing this!!

[TheTrakker]

Yes sir, those Colorado altitudes are hard on us Carolina boys. But hey, my first time riding in Brevard was pretty tough too. The fact is it's always worth the price of admission wherever you're at.

[jinnabeauchemin]

This is the locals favorite route. However, riders typically ride up through Red Canyon road from Canon City all the way to Cripple Creek, and come down Phantom Canyon Rd. To make it a loop.

[MrChangouno]

It is not Phantom Canyon loop. It is not a loop. It is not out of Cañon City. It is out of Penrose. It starts at Hwy 50 & Hwy 67. Hwy 67 turns into Phantom Canyon Rd as it goes from pavement to a dirt Rd. It leads to Victor, CO. The old train bridges & tunnels are a unique part of this Rd. Near the top is a beautiful overlook in a pullout with a unique rock formtion. At the top are views of Mt ranges looking toward Salida. If you go right at the edge of Victor you are on Hwy 81. Off of Hwy 81 you can take another dirt Rd, Old Stage Rd. It leads to the Colorado Springs Zoo which is in Broadmore in the Colorado Springs metro area. Or the edge of Victor you can turn left & go Victor to Cripple Creak & take another dirt Rd, Shelf Rd back to Cañon City. Cañon City is next to Penrose. ( Shelf Rd is closed in winter.) So you could make a loop by taking any two of these three dirt roads. Shelf Rd & Phantom Canyon being the shortest distance. At times sections of Old Stage Rd are very rough closer to Broadmore. Rough because dirt washes away & it is much like a rocky 4x4 Rd in that section. All three dirt Rds are beautiful. Shelf Road has nice smaller waterfalls & a unique Mt with a hole through the top. Old Stage Rd has one of the most beautiful Mt rock formations in the world. It is on private property. You view it off of a raises section of road that goes through a valley. Views on either side of the raised Rd is georgious. There is lake you can drive to. There is a spot you can overlook Colorado Springs. All of these dirt Rds are among the most beautiful in Colorado. Personally there are so many places to stop along the way to take in the senery & even camp I suggest a 4x4 raised vehicle as you can take roads off of them as well.

We are fortunate to live in Penrose & take advantage of these & other beautiful areas. For example, the opposite direction on 67 takes you through the town of Florence where you can shop in the antique stores. Then head out of town on 67 & turn right in the town of Wetmore. You are now on Hwy 96 heading into more beautiful Mts with a georgious section carved out by the river. Go to the top & you can get off the pavement & take a dirt Rd back to Cañon City. Views toward the end overlook the entire valley from Cañon City to the planes beyond Pueblo. Or instead, half way up Hwy 96 turn left onto Hwy 165. You will come to Bishops Castle. Continuing on is lake Isabel & some RV camp grounds among the trees. If you continue on you will come out in Ryeb CO. Here you can head north on Hwy 25 to Pueblo. North from there on Hwy 25 is Colorado Springs. West on 50 is Penrose & Cañon City. Need food? There are plenty of sit down restaurants & fast food places on Hwy 50 in Pueblo. Or around that area you can grocery shop. Also along the way are a some food services in Pueblo West on the way to Penrose. Or grocery shop in Pueblo West at Walmart or Safeway.

[SleepNitty]

Wow! That is some suffering. Good perspective for us low-landers. Elevation can be brutal.

[fsquared]

Altitude is no joke, especially when you’re getting above 8000 feet. Now go give the Leadville Trail 100 a shot where you START just over 10000!

[Daniel-yfiy]

Phantom Canyon is an Old rail road bed. The road terminates in the mining town of Victor which sits at over 10, 000.’

[FourClover]

As a first timer on these endurance trails it's important to carry a bigger backpack filled with waters at least one Gatorade for electrolytes and a nice lunch filled with fruits and rehydration don't go for cool looks with those camel backs it's nowhere near enough nutrients for your body

[NoCarNancy]

This part of Colorado rarely gets noticed