Review Date
September 1, 2008

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a month

Reviewed by: terisbusy ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
This trail is an awesome trail. There are definitely some technical sections especially on the western portion of the trail (unless you are great at riding your bike between two rocks with only three inches to spare on either side of your pedals!!). There are also some areas where you have to ride over some pretty significant drops (also at the western portion). I can see how some downhill/agressive riders may be able to ride down these rocks (about 10-20 inch drop offs), but I don't think most people could ride up those rocks! There are some pretty good hills, which wouldn't be too bad except that your bike loses it's grip on the many small rocks and deeper sand. The boy scouts have made some nice bridges over the stream, but it is fun to ride through the stream too! There are lots and lots of whoop dee doos to ride over. This trail requires good balance, moderate knowledge of riding over rocky terrain and through sand as well as riding on narrow logs over ditches. I also think you need to be fairly physically fit to ride the entire trail. The hills are small, but many.

Recommended Route:
I'd recommend parking just past the north end of the stadium close to the golf course. From there you can ride south up behind the stadium and past the old settlers cabin, or you can ride north past the golf course and up the far ridge for some awesome views. Both of these routes will give you a good feel for the majority of the trail, then you can decide if you want to turn around or finish. Still the western portion is more technical and difficult than any of the eastern section. My trail book rates this trail as easy,,,, they are wrong! It also states that it is 12 miles long,, It is just over 13 miles. There aren't any easy short cuts either!

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Mt Herman
Rampart Resevoir
Section 16
Bear Creek Park

Review Date
May 26, 2008

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: rearrango ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
A really excellent singletrack trail that has been maintained pretty well. It is well-marked with white carsonite markers. Wayfinding is not a problem on this trail even with the road crossings.

A great combination of descending and climbing. There are some great sections of twisties through the pines. There are some pretty loose sections of sandy decomposed granite. There are several water crossing with bridges. Enjoy the great views from many of the ridges.

20 minutes from downtown Colo. Springs and 25 minutes from Castle Rock. I'll definitely be riding this trail again.

Recommended Route:
Ridden counter clockwise, most people ride it clockwise as it avoids a short steep hike-a-bike section. Either way its pretty cool.

Park in the lot on the north side of Academy Drive, a half mile west of Stadium Blvd. There is a small dirt parking lot where the Falcon Tr. crosses Academy Drive. Make sure and bring a valid driver license for ID. Below is the map link we used for wayfinding.

http://www.usafa.af.mil/superintendent/pa/scoutinfo/USAFA%20Trails%20Map%20Wallposter.pdf

Review Date
June 24, 2007

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: lag ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
This trail is just fun. It is that simple. 98% singletrack, 13-miles, well marked. The best part, is there is several jumps, to many to count, but you find yourself jumping one after another making this just like I said, a really fun trail. Nothing technical where you have to get off your bike, nothing hard really, just a fun ride. Good workout.

Recommended Route:
Start at the community center, ride clockwise. My falcon guide book says start at the southwest corner of the parking lot. I havent found that to be true. I just head west on the main road, and the trail picks up on the left.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Mt Herman.

Review Date
November 27, 2006

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 2 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: illcomm33 ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
This trail has been re-cut and DOES NOT INLCUDE the past technical sections as described by previous riders. There is just about nothing technical on the "new" Falcon trail.The Air Force Academy just reopened the trail systems to the public on November 1, 2006 after 5 years of being closed. It was worth the wait. The NEW Falcon Trail is about 85% nicely groomed singletrack with only a few short sections of fire roads. The trail is fast and fun but you have to earn it. A few climbs will get you a few descents...the way it should be. The trail is well marked (best I have ever seen) with White "Falcon Trail" markers all the way around the 13 mile loop. The Air Force did this trail right!

Recommended Route:
There is not really a trailhead for this ride. You can pick it up at several different spots. My recommendation is enter the Air Force Academy at the South Entrance. Drive on the main road that you entered on past the Football stadium and take a left! Drive .6 miles to the "Press Box sign" and take a RIGHT into a dirt parking lot. The trail is a up the road. RIDE CLOCKWISE!

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Mt. Herman, Palmer Park

Review Date
August 5, 2005

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: Too Slow ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
I started by the Community center and rode counter-clockwise. It is definitely a technical trail. I rode it on a wet morning, which made some of the sand a little bit more rideable, but some sections of the trail were definitely unrideable. According to a sign it is maintained by a Boy Scout Troop, but they need to do some work on quite a few sections. With some trail maintenance this coule be a great trail, but as it stands now there are too many hike-a-bike sections. It seems like just when you get a rhythm going you have to get off and hike up or down some section.

Recommended Route:
Doesn't matter

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Palmer Park