Online Exclusive: Vote For North America's Best Trail

Bike Magazine recently asked its readers to select their favorite trails. The following five trails were the top nominations. Vote now for the best trail of this elite group and the winner will be featured in our March issue along with 40 more of North America's best trails.

401 Trail. Crested Butte, Colorado
The 401 begins with a healthy fire-road climb, but the payoff is huge. A short singletrack ascent from the road leads riders into the high country, where epic views and an even more epic downhill await. The trail runs along an alpine ridge then starts a fast, curvy descent back to Crested Butte. Riders fly through fields of head-high wildflowers for miles, a handful of tight switchbacks the only thing slowing them down. This is the trail that put Crested Butte on the map. Photo courtesy of Western Spirit

Kenosha Pass to Georgia Pass (Colorado Trail). Grant, Colorado
From Kenosha pass, the trail descends for 5 miles before climbing for another 6 up to Georgia pass. Riders then turn around and reap the reward of their efforts. The 22-mile out-and-back crosses two high-mountain passes and offers 11 miles of descending with 3,000 vertical feet of climbing. This stretch of the Colorado trail has been a favorite of riders in Denver and Summit County for years, but is finally gaining recognition outside the state, too. Photo by Steve Zdawczynski

South Boundary Trail. Taos, New Mexico
The South Boundary stretches for 22 miles along an alpine ridge between Angel Fire and Taos, New Mexico. Along the way riders are treated to rocky climbs, blistering-fast trail that spins through aspens, steep hillside traverses, rolling valleys and steep descents. Every corner seems to offer huge views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and every section offers a new challenge. Angel Fire is off the beaten path, but the South Boundary makes the trip worthwhile.

McKenzie River Trail. Willamette National Forest, Oregon
Twenty-six miles of singletrack Nirvana wait along the banks of the McKenzie River in central Oregon. Though it features more descending than climbing, this is definitely more of a cross-country ride. The trail crosses technical lava rocks early and then rolls through old-growth forests, past waterfalls and pools of turquoise water. Incredibly fun and amazingly beautiful, the McKenzie River trail has definitely earned its spot as one of our five best.

Monarch Crest Trail. Salida, Colorado
Another Colorado favorite, the Monarch Crest trail offers more than 8,000 feet of descending and a few thousand feet of climbing. The trail is mostly buff and fast, and a few technical sections keep things exciting. Most riders shuttle this trail from Poncha Springs or Salida to Monarch Pass at 11,300 feet. Thin air, majestic views of the Continental Divide and sweet, sweet descents—a beautiful combination. Photo courtesy of Brian Riepe

Sorry, voting is closed. See the results along with a plethora of other top trails in Bike's March 2009 issue!