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Boulder/Denver Mountain Biking

Original Post
Nick Grue · · Northglenn, CO · Joined Sep 2008 · Points: 5

So I'm a little burned out with climbing right now, and wanted to get some miles on my bike. I'm looking for insight on the some of the best trails in the Denver/Golden/Boulder area, and where in general the trail heads are.

I'd buy a trail guide if I had money... But I don't... So there.

Chris Plesko · · Westminster, CO · Joined Oct 2007 · Points: 485

A lot of stuff is snowy or wet right now but MTBR.com in the Colorado-Front Range forum has current conditions reports almost all the time. I'm Pivvay over there although I don't post often. You can't go wrong with the JeffCo trails, Lookout Mtn/Apex, Mt.Falcon, Dakota Ridge/Zorro, etc. I enjoy all of them and ride whatever is dry during the winter. In Boulder the new Heil to Hall connector and Picture rock trail are sweet too.

Funny MTB is my primary sport and climbing is my offseason diversion :)

Jeremy Monahan · · Fort Collins, CO · Joined May 2002 · Points: 410
mbpost.com is a pretty good start. My favorite areas in that area are the Red Rocks trails which connect to Matthews Winters OS. You can either park at Matthews Winters right off I-70 just west of the roadcut. A bit further north, Hall Ranch is about 1 1/2 miles past Lyons. A friend in Boulder told me Betasso is another good trail (killer singletrack) but he told me bikes aren't allowed on Wed or Sat. I think this is up Boulder Canyon, but im not 100%. HTH
Chris Plesko · · Westminster, CO · Joined Oct 2007 · Points: 485

Yes Betasso is up BC, turn up Sugarloaf and follow the signs. The closure on Wed and Sat to bikes is also correct.

That loops is only 3 miles a lap but it's fun and also a good ride from town. You can go up and/or down the connector trail too which is on the right just before the tunnel. Look for the pulloff.

Jeff Gustafson · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2003 · Points: 35

From south to north:
Buffalo Creek: Colorado Trail & numerous offshoots (a lot of these offshoots lead to excellent South Platte granite)
Pine: I believe it is called Sawmill Gulch, comes out of an Open Space Park north of Pine, or you can access the top from forest roads south of Bailey, with miles of pretty level singletrack with numerous rock domes to ride on (once again that Splatte grante)
Evergreen: where to start, it is a sweet area. Evergreen Mountain, right across the road is Three Sisters, then north towards I-70 you have Elk Meadows with Bergen Peak, everything there is good and Bergen Peak is a very rewarding challenge. Lair of the Bear has some great riding between Morrison & Kittredge.
Denver/ Golden: Mt. Falcon kicks ass, Mathews Winter, Green Mountain, Apex, Lookout Mountain (which has a great little crag), Dakota Ridge (challenging)
Heading north along Hgwy 93 there is some excellent riding at White Ranch

Chase Gee · · Wyoming/ Logan Utah · Joined Jan 2009 · Points: 105

I've never rode in that area so sorry i have no useful info but, if you ever get the chance to get down to Fruita don't miss it! my friends and I rode down there this summer it was a blast and you don't have to deal with quite as many people as you would find in Moab.

Jeremy Monahan · · Fort Collins, CO · Joined May 2002 · Points: 410

Oooh, Fruita. Just thinking about Steve's Loop, Horsethief or 18 Rd (shudder) makes me want to go back this year. Forget Boulder/Golden, take a long weekend and hit up Fruita. You won't be disappointed, especially if you ride singlespeed :)

Umph! · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2004 · Points: 180

In Boulder county, I'd say the Heil/Hall ride is the best.
Golden Gate State Park has some really good rides too.
Walker Ranch, west of Eldo is pretty fun. Hell, ride Eldo (Rattlesnake loop) for a day of climb-n-bike!

If you're willing to drive up to Loveland, there's the Devils Backbone system, which will take you up to Horsetooth Mountain Park, which in turn links you to Lory State Park. You can easily pull 40 miles out of it if you wanted (almost entirely on dirt, and single track at that).
Horsetooth has some good riding, but it's a bit "used". Lory has some good singletrack as well as a dirt jumping course.

Swing by a bike shop or go online for trailhead details, etc.

Happy trails!

Tradster · · Phoenix, AZ · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 0
Jeremy Monahan wrote:Oooh, Fruita. Just thinking about Steve's Loop, Horsethief or 18 Rd (shudder) makes me want to go back this year. Forget Boulder/Golden, take a long weekend and hit up Fruita. You won't be disappointed, especially if you ride singlespeed :)
Fruita rocks. Spent 6 days there last June. Take a long weekend and go bike there. You'll be in nirvana!
Olaf Mitchell · · Paia, Maui, Hi, · Joined Mar 2007 · Points: 4,190

The East Face of Mt. Falcon is in the "best" shape on the front range at this very moment acording to my sorce.

Evan S · · Denver, Co · Joined Dec 2007 · Points: 510

The best areas that may be dry right now are White Ranch, the trails off 93 between Golden and Boulder, and all the fire roads and little side trails around Boulder Reservoir. Hall ranch in Lyons may be good too. The soil is really sandy there and dries out fast. With the recent snows, as minor as they were, Walker Ranch and Heil Ranch will probably be a little soggy. As we move through spring, depending on the snow, you can start moving up into the foothills, Walker Ranch and the Jamestown loop and fire roads, then the money, the Ceran St. Vrain. This area between Jamestown and the peak to peak highway has the best riding in the Boulder area. Nederland and Ward have some fun stuff too, and I don't really know about Evergreen.

Dur2Mo · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2009 · Points: 0
Nick Grue wrote:So I'm a little burned out with climbing right now, and wanted to get some miles on my bike. I'm looking for insight on the some of the best trails in the Denver/Golden/Boulder area, and where in general the trail heads are. I'd buy a trail guide if I had money... But I don't... So there.
www.singletracks.com You live in one of the best states to mtb- don't need no stinkin guide just some energy
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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