June 28-30 2024 - Salida, CO
Yeti Gathering Returns
The 2024 Yeti Gathering will take place in the shadow of the Collegiate Peaks and we’re excited to be bringing our loyal Yeti Freaks down to one of our favorite mountain towns.
You have two days of riding this year, both offering beautiful views of 3 Colorado mountain ranges. Friday’s ride is a classic Salida loop including the gravity-focused Cottonwood Trail. Saturday includes two ride options. The Intermediate ride shares most of its route with the Advanced ride, but cuts out the top portion of the climb so you can save your legs for the minibike races Saturday evening. E-Bikes are not allowed on either of this year's gathering routes, however there are some great e-legal trails that can be ridden from camp.
We are back on the grid this year
The last few years, we have been proud to show our Yeti Freaks a few corners of Colorado you’ve probably never seen. You roughed it and we all had fun. This year, we’re back on grid and base camp will be the Chaffee County Fairgrounds. Despite the addition of running water, camping is still heavily encouraged, but we will have RV hookups (for an additional fee) and Airbnb’s, hotels and rentals will be readily available if you choose.
Whether you camp or find accommodations, be prepared for a wide variety of weather. We also recommend sunscreen and a wide variety of layers as temperatures in the mountains can swing wildly from blazing hot to freezing throughout the day if a storm rolls in. Appropriate gear will make you much more comfortable and keep you safe through the weekend.
We won’t be as high in the mountains as years past, but Salida is still situated around 7000 ft above sea level. Drink plenty of water and come trained and prepared, we promise you will have more fun.
Support
We will have ride leaders and sweeps, including an EMS support on each of our rides, who will be equipped with first aid and GPS communicators. However, please remember that rescues in the mountains can be complicated and slow, so we encourage everyone to please ride within their limits. Also, even though we're providing support, please plan on being self-sufficient and prepared to navigate and finish the ride as you would if you were out on your own.
Bikes
You must have a Yeti to attend Yeti Gathering. Please make sure your bike is dialed and ready. Nobody wants to be that "guy" on the group ride that hits the first descent just to find out your brakes are cooked. We highly recommend you or your local shop service your bike and equipment in preparation for the event. A clean and properly tuned bike will ensure more miles of shred-induced smiles.
Personal Locators & Trackers
We will be in and out of cell service. If you have a personal locator like a Garmin InReach, it would be a great idea to bring it along.
Colorado Search and Rescue Fund
The dedicated volunteer search and rescue (SAR) professionals across Colorado are ready to mobilize to help those in the Colorado backcountry. Our Colorado Outdoor Recreation Search and Rescue (CORSAR) contribution supplies reimbursements to SAR teams for costs incurred while conducting search and rescue operations. It provides funding for the purchase of search and rescue-related equipment. Because of your support and the tremendous generosity of our search and rescue responders, Colorado is a safer place to play.
Read more about how this program works. It’s $3 for a year and $12 for a 5-year card:https://cdola.colorado.gov/funding-programs/search-and-rescue-fund
Wildlife & Dogs
Be aware respect that we'll be sharing the area with moose, bears, deer and plenty of other wildlife. If you choose to bring your dog, it must be on a leash and well-behaved.
Location: Salida, CO.
This year the Gathering HQ will be at the Chaffee County Fairgrounds.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Friday, June 28th
9 a.m. – 3 p.m. – Packet Pick-Up & Registration HQ (Main Tent)
3 p.m. – 6 p.m. – Apparel Store (subject to change closer to event)
Friday Ride Option: Roll out from Fairgrounds for Arkansas Hill Ride.
5 p.m. – 9 p.m. – Serving Beer
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. – Dinner
8:32 p.m. – Sunset
Saturday, June 29th
7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. – Breakfast
8 a.m. – 10 a.m. – Apparel Store
8:30 a.m. – 9 a.m. – Advanced and Intermediate Ride Departs Farigrounds
3 p.m. 5 p.m. – Apparel Store (subject to change closer to event)
3:30 p.m. – 5 p.m. – Hoogaritas and Chips and Salsa
5 p.m. – 9 p.m. – Serving Beer
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. – Dinner – (Bring your bike for the group photo)
7 p.m. – Group Photo
7:30 p.m. – Festivities Commence/Games/Music
8:32 p.m. – Sunset
Sunday, June 30th
7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. – Breakfast
9 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Apparel Store (subject to change closer to the event)
Then we kick you out...
THE RIDES
We are stoked to offer two days of supported rides this year. Friday afternoon is a classic loop on Arkansas Hills. If you want to save your legs and skip the gravel road climb to the trail head, we have a shuttle options available. Saturday offers two distance options on the classic high mountain desert trail system on Methodist Mountain.
FRIDAY – JUNE 28TH RIDE:
We will roll from the Chaffee County Fairgrounds and take the bike path to Downtown Salida. After checking Salida’s river surfers, we’ll cross the river and start climbing the iconic ‘S-Mountain’ singletrack, which is relatively technical. Once the North backbone trail pops out on Ute Trail, we climb the road to the Beesway Trailhead, where an aid station awaits before the super fun descent. We will then cruise down Beesway, Rhumba, and the Cottomwood trails. The final drop into town includes Sweet Dreams and Chicken Dinner trails. After high-fives back in downtown, we head back on the bike path to the fairgrounds for beers and dinner.
SATURDAY – JUNE 29TH RIDE:
ADVANCED RIDE – 34.2 MILES // 3713 FT. OF ELEVATION GAIN
Once again rolling from the fairgrounds, this time heading to the south side of Salida. We kick things off with Spartan trail before the ups and downs on Little Rainbow. Next, a fun descent on Lost Trail, down to HWY 50 for a short, paved section. We climb a gravel road leading up to a fully stocked aid station. Next up: the classic Rainbow trail which is some of the best high desert riding in the world - rolling along at around 9000’. We plunge down ‘Gutz’, a technical 1.5 miles and then we connect back to the lower Methodist Mountain trails where an aid station is available before the final downhill into Salida. The final downhill is a treat: the Solstice trail is a super well-built flow trail with fun table tops and berms. Finally, we cruise back to the fairgrounds to refuel and get ready for the evening’s shenanigans.
INTERMEDIATE SHORT RIDE – 23.1 MILES // 1992 FT. OF ELEVATION GAIN
Starting from the fairgrounds, we warm up on the bike path before hitting a gravel road climb to the Spartan trail. After some rolling single track, you’ll enjoy the Solstice trail, a super well-built flow trail with fun table tops and berms. What goes down must go up, so you loop back up to a well-deserved aid station around mile 10. Once refueled, you’ll love Little Rainbow and Sol Train. Little Rainbow continues to Spartan West and then we reconnect to the trailhead where we started. Regroup, then head back to the fairgrounds to refuel and get ready for the evening’s shenanigans.
As a reminder...
- Yeti bike ownership is required to attend Yeti Gathering
- Passes are required for all attendees 8 years old and up (If bringing children age 8 and younger, no need to register them for Gathering - do not +1 when selecting number of tickets)
- Kids are welcome, this is a family-friendly event
- Well behaved pets are allowed on leashes at the fairgrounds. However they may not be left in vehicles or tied outside.
Refund Policy:
We’re not big on ‘policies’ here at Yeti, but with past Yeti Gatherings, we have sold out quickly and have a waitlist we manage to work to get as many Yeti Freaks to the Gathering as possible. With that in mind, here is how we handle refunds in 2024:
- Over 21 days before event: Full refund, less administration fee.
- 7 to 21 days before event: 50% refund, less administration fee.
- 7 or fewer days befoe the event or “no show”: No refund.
If you have questions about what pass you should purchase, email info@yeticycles.com before taking the plunge.
TRAINING PROGRAM
Grab the 90-day training program from our partner Dee Tidwell at www.traintoride.com (formerly Enduro MTB Training) and since there's only three months before the TG, and for only $30, (that's $69 OFF using the code YETIturqride) you can be fully ready to have your best Gathering yet!
Camping and Arrivals
You may start showing up at 9am on Friday, June 28th. Please don't arrive before. Note that if you choose to arrive earlier than Friday morning a Yeti employee will likely ask you to move if you’re in the way of key Gathering set equipment, as we will be actively preparing for the weekend. There are plenty of camping and additional accommodations in the Salida area if you want to arrive earlier.
Showers
Showers are available at the Fairgrounds