TRAIL

LOCATION

SKILL LEVEL

Great for beginners-Wide open, non-technical, flat single-track.

Directions:Take C470 to Morrison Road. Turn right onto Morrison Road, heading east and go about 1/2 mile to the park entrance. Drive to the ranger station and pay the $3 park entrance fee.

Go past the Ranger Station, take the first available right and go to the bottom parking lot.

Ride starts on top of Mt. Falcon. Wide trails and single-track. Add a big climb if you choose.

Directions: To reach the trailhead take C470 to Highway 285 south (actually heading west). Go 4 miles on Highway 285 to Parmalee Gulch Road.

Heading north on Parmalee Gulch Road go 2.6 miles to Picutis. Turn right onto Picutis and take an immediate left onto Commanche.

Go 1/10th of a mile to Oh Kay Road and go another 1/10th mile to Picutis (that's correct), turn right and go 1.5 miles to the parking lot.

Follow the signs for Mt. Falcon Park.

South Vally Park

Deer Creek Canyon

(Beginner-Intermediate-Expert)

South Valley Park is an excellent trail for the beginner and low intermediate. The trail is mostly wide and smooth with some rolling single track.

Another option for the expert and intermediate rider is to exit the mesa mentioned above and do Dear Creek Trail.

Directions: C470 to Ken Caryl Ave. Head west on Ken Caryl Ave. approximatley 1/2 mile to South Valley Road. Turn left onto South Valley Road and go approximatley 1 mile to the park entrance. There is a small pond at the entrance.

Ride starts at the top. Multiple loops to choose from. Something for everyone.

Directions: To reach the trailhead take 6th Avenue west to Golden.

Stay on 6th Avenue past the 19th Street intersection.

At the four-way interchange of 6th Avenue, Highway 58 and Highway 93, take Highway 93 north (do not turn left or right, go straight through the stop light) toward Boulder.

Travel north for three miles on Highway 93. There will be a large brown sign (very easy to miss) designating White Ranch Park.

Turn left off of Highway 93 onto 56th Avenue (heading west). Go one mile and turn right into the parking lot.

Buffalo Creek

Pine

(Beginner-Intermediate-Expert)

More Pictures!

Description: Fun-Fun-Fun! Non-technical rolling single-track. One of our most popular rides for all skill levels. Park at the trail head at the intersection of County Road 126 and Forest Road 550. The trail is smooth with gradual climbs. As you can see from the pictures 8 year old Joseph Griffin managed the trip to the campground. Riders can cut over to FR550 along Tramway, at the Buffalo Creek Campground, or at the Meadows Campground. The Tramway Cutoff is a little more rocky than the other routes. Buffalo Creek Campground ($13) is the natural turnaround spot and has 41 somewhat flat sites and restrooms. There are many other great free sites along FR550.

(Note: For an added treat on the way home try lunch at the Bucksnort in Sphinx Park. On the way home at the town of Pine, Turn Right at 4th Ave. at the Library. Go about 3 miles and you can't miss it. Also look for signs on CR126. Opens at noon.)

Distance: 18 or 13.5 depending on route choice. Trail head to Buffalo Creek Campground is 9 miles. You can return to the trail head via single track or return 4.5 miles on Forest Road 550. There are also many other offshoot trails to add mileage.

Time: 2 - 4 hours

Elevation Gain: 2000 feet

Directions: To reach the trail head take C470 to Highway 285 south (actually heading west). Travel 20 miles on Highway 285 to Pine Junction.

Turn left and head east on Pine Valley Road and go 6 miles to Pine. Continue past Pine for another 6 miles.

As you reach the crest of a large hill Spring Creek Road will be on you left. Continue past Spring Creek Road and turn right on Forest Road 550. The parking area and Trail Head to Buffalo Creek is on the right. There is a $4 day use fee. (Please do not park on County Road 126.) The entrance may be unmarked so watch your mileage and watch for Spring Creek Road.

National Forest Website

Trail Map

Three Sisters-Evergreen

Jefferson County

(Beginner-Intermediate-Expert)

top

Easy single track loops for beginners. A longer loop with climbs for intermediate and expert riders.

Directions: To reach the trailhead take I 70 west to the Evergreen Parkway exit (#252). Take the Evergreen Parkway 7.5 miles into downtown Evergreen and turn right onto Highway 73.

Go ½ mile on Highway 73 to Buffalo Park Road (stoplight). Turn right onto Buffalo Park Road and go 1.3 miles to the trailhead (right side of road).

Creekside, Flume &
Chainsaw Trail

Winter Park

(Beginner-Intermediate-Expert)

Flat and rolling single-track in the trees. Non-technical and yet challenging if you want.

Directions: Take Highway 40 through Winter Park to Fraser. Once in Fraser, go to the only stop light in town (Intersections of Hwy 40 & County Road 72). Turn left at the stop light and drive into the strip Mall. Meet at Totally Wired Cyclery, a couple doors down from ALCO.

Carpooling: Some people asked about carpooling. If you want to carpool plan to meet at the South East lot at I70 & Morrison road. If you would lik eto carpool contact Josh at jtaylor@qwest.net.

WE WANT TO MEET AT 9 AM AT TOTALLY WIRED. SO, PLAN YOUR TRAVEL TIME (Plus some slack for the normal confusion) TO ARRIVE AHEAD OF SCHEDULE.

Riders: Please RSVP to Josh if you intend to ride: jtaylor@qwest.net.

Elk Meadows

Evergreen

(Beginner-Intermediate-Expert)

Good for all abilities: Rolling single track and some climbing. Experts can include a nice long climb.

Directions: To reach the trailhead take I 70 west to the Evergreen Parkway exit (#252). Take the Evergreen Parkway 4.5 miles to Lewis Ridge Road.

Turn right onto Lewis Ridge Road and then an immediate right into Elk Meadows Open Space Park. Go to first parking lot.

Current Kenosha Weather

Directions: We will carpool from the Kohls' department store at C470 and Kipling. Departure from Kohl's will be at 7 AM. So be there early.

This is a fantactic ride however, it is for expert and intermediate riders only. This ride will be from 4 -5 hours long and will be at altitude. Bring a full Camelback of water and plenty of food bars, and extra tubes.

We will be riding at altitude and will go above timberline. Be prepared for inclimate weather. At this time of year any weather condition can arise. Bring Winter gloves as well your regular riding gloves. Rain gear should be brought along as well. It is a good idea to have layers of clothes available. Bring dry clothes to wear once the ride is over.

Jefferson County

Directions: Take C470 to the Wadsworth exit. Go south the the Chatfield Dam entrance. Entrance fee $5 per car. From the dam entrance follow the road until you come to a T. Make a right and follow the road about one mile to Fox Run picnic facility on the left side of the road. The barbeque will be after the ride starting around 11:30.

Trail

Location

Skill Level

Jefferson County

(Beginner-Intermediate-Expert)

More Pictures

Description: William Frederick Hayden Park is the second largest park in the City of Lakewood, covering approximately 2400 acres of open space.

Green Mountain is a popular after work ride or spring trail due to its close proximity to Denver and its quick snow melt. There are no trees in sight and the trail is rideable almost year round. It is also a great place for a night ride as the view of Denver from the peak is wonderful.

The mountain has several multiple-use trails to select and breathtaking views of the Metropolitan Denver area and the dramatic Front Range of the Rocky Mountains from the 6800-foot summit. Three peaks above 14,000 feet are usually viewable.

There are two main trails: a 6.4-mile Green Mountain Trail Loop and the 3.1-mile Hayden Trail Loop. But many more options are available, including adding Dakota Ridge, Red Rocks, and Mathew Winters for an epic day in the saddle. Beginners can begin at the Hayden lot and circle around the base to the south for rolling non-technical single-track with a few short steeps hills. Once on the far west side turn around before the decent to the west parking lot. Intermediates and experts can climb the hill for more miles and activity. Green Mountain can be popular in the spring so please be respectful of hikers.

Distance: Varies.

Time: 1 - 4 hours

Elevation Gain: 300 feet if you stay on the rim; 900 feet if you ride to the top

Directions: To reach the trail head take 6th Avenue west from I-25 and exit Union Avenue in Lakewood.

Turn left onto Union (heading south) and go to Alameda Avenue. Turn right onto Alameda (heading west) and go 1.5 miles to the Green Mountain parking lot.

The Hayden parking lot is on the west side of Alameda and is at the T intersection of Florida. Green Mountain Drive is the last intersection with a stop light before the parking lot.

(There are other parking lots available on the south and west ends of the park.)

Rocky, narrow and rolling, some hard climbs can be included. This ride will bolster your technical skills.

Directions: To reach the trailhead take 6th Avenue west and merge with I 70. Continue past the C 470 interchange and exit the Morrison Road exit.

Turn left onto Morrison Road (heading south) and go under I 70 and turn right into the Matthew Winters parking lot.

Lair 'O the Bear

Morrison

(Beginner-Intermediate-Expert)

Enjoy a great ride scenic Bear Creek Canyon. Riparian woodlands, streamside meadows and fragrant forests beckon visitors to enjoy the variety of ecological, geological and scenic features. Most of the trails are great but new and unmarked. Bring a spirit of adventure and explore some of the newest trails on the Front Range!

Trail hint: Ride west on Creekside until the trail comes to an end. Take the switchback to the left and work your way up the ridge. After several miles the trail will come to an obvious junction. Take the trail left if you want to explore or take the singletrack back right to head to Ofallon Park. At the park, hop on highway 74 for a few downhill miles until you reach Corwina Park. There exit right and join Creekside again at the first switchback. (Ride will take about an hour.)

Directions: The trailhead is 5.2 miles west of the Morrison Road Exit. Exit West off of C470. Morrirson road becomes Highway 74. The parking area is located on the south side of the highway.

Ride downtown with 5,000 of your closest friends......at midnight!

Directions: We'll have a tent on the West side of North Classroom.

An old forest road and single track with climbing and technical sections. Beautiful scenery.

Directions: Take Highway 36 t Boulder. Exit on Baseline. Go west on Baseline (towards mountains).

Go up and over Flagstaff Mountain (steep, curves, watch for fellow riders). Descend back-side of Flagstaff Mountain and turn left into Walker Ranch trailhead parking lot (it is located at a sweeping right-hand turn).

Follow dirt road for ¼ mile and meet in the upper parking lot.

This is a great trail for all level of riders. To begin, riders can start with a rolling climb up a wide fire road. Once at the top their is a great single track decent back to the campground.

Intermediate and expert rides can then take another single track that connects to the Roxborough loop. This is mainly a decent with a good long climb back to the campground.

Directions: From C470 head south on Sante Fe 9.8 miles to Sedalia. At the stop light turn right onto Highway 67, heading west. Go 10.9 miles to the Indian Creek Campground.

Jefferson County

(Intermediate-Expert)

More Dakota Ridge Pictures!

Description: Dakota Ridge is a technical trail that stays atop a ridge that sits in between Highway 90 and C470. The newly created Zorro trail now connects Dakota Ridge with Green Mountain. Views from the top are fantastic. It is probably best used as an intermediate and expert add-on for Green Mountain or Mathews-Winters. A great ride would be to park at Mathers-Winters, ride Dakota, link to Red Rocks, and ride Mathews-Winters back to the car. The total ride would be about 6.5 miles.

Don't forget to keep your eyes open for rattle snakes as you can see from the linked pictures. This one was right next to the trail!

Distance: 2.2 miles one way, but it is easy to add many other trails (Mathews-Winters, Red Rocks, Green Mountain).

Time: 1 - 2 hours

Elevation Gain: 1,200 feet

Directions: To reach the trail head from Denver take I70 west to the Morrison Exit 259. Turn left under the and the trailhead is on the left. You can park there or across the street at Mathers-Winters where there are facilities.

You can also access the trail from from the western Green Mountain Trailhead.

Winter Park

(Beginner-Intermediate-Expert)

We will be meeting up to ride with folks attending the IC3 National Camp. Take advantage of this great opportunity.

Description: We'll have rides for every ability. The Frasier Valley boast of 550 miles of a wide variety of mountain bike trails. Tippery Creek Trail is a non-technical trail that also serves as a key race in the Winter Park Mountain Series and a popular ride at the WP Mountain Bike Festival. The ride starts with a long climb and the descents are smooth and fast. Beginner/Intermediates can also ride one of the local's favorites; Creekside, Flume &
Chainsaw Trail. The trail is not too technical and mostly flat.

Normally we would leave from Totally Wired in Frasier, but this year the ride coincides with ICCC's National Cycling Camp. We we are meeting at Timberline Lodge. (Directions below.) Ride starts at Timberline Lodge 10 am.

Distance: 10 - 30 miles

Time: 2 - 3 hours

Elevation Gain: 100 - 2,500 feet

Directions: (www.timberlinelodge.org/getting2.htm, phone 970.726.8850.)

1. From Denver, or Denver International Airport, head west on I-70. Turn off I-70 onto US Highway 40 at Exit #232 (Empire and Granby)
2. Turn right on US 40 and stay on US Highway 40 through Empire, over Berthoud Pass, through the town of Winter Park and continue on to the town of Fraser.
3. At the stoplight in Fraser (Taco Bell / KFC on the left side of 40 and Safeway on the right side of 40) turn left.
4. Go under the railroad bridge. Veer right at the “Y” onto Grand County 721. At the stop sign, turn left (At the “T”) onto Grand County 73. (Follow this road, over a bridge and up the hill, approximately 3/4 of a mile).
5. Turn right onto Grand County 50-S and continue on Grand County 50-S for almost 2 miles (stay left at the Junction with Grand County 50, which enters from the right) until you see the Timberline Lodge sign at the entrance to our driveway just past Moose Run Lane.
6. Turn right at the Timberline sign onto Grand County 5001. Proceed down the hill and turn left at the "Lodges" sign.
   

More Apex Pictures!

Description: Several friends recommended Apex as a good close in ride. I found it somewhat technical and therefore difficult to gain a rhythm on the ride. You essentially climb up Apex Gulch and connect to several loops up top. It's not one of our favorite rides but if you're looking for something new, give it a try. There are great views at the top.

Distance: 5 - 9 miles.

Time: 1 - 3 hours

Elevation Gain: 1100 feet

Directions: I-25 North to Hwy 66 just north of Longmont. Take 66 west to Lyons. Go thru the town and at the T intersection on the west side of town, turn left onto Hwy 7. Go about 2 miles to the Hall Ranch Parking lot on the right side of the road.