Review Date
August 17, 2007

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a month

Reviewed by: giantsaam ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
This is a great trail but have plenty of time to do it because the 10.5mi is one way. It is not that difficult make sure you know how to handle your bike because there are multiple rock gardens about 100yds a piece i would reccomend this ride to someone who has been riding more than once and knows how to float rock gardens

Recommended Route:
main parking and just keep on going

Other recommended trails in the same area:
hall ranch, apex, red rocks

Review Date
February 9, 2005

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a month

Reviewed by: ignazjr ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Sourdough is a fantastic trail. There is a fairly vast network of riding up here. Great, if you like tough, rocky, and technical terrain. If you're looking for buttery smooth, this isn't the place. Generally, the further north you get on this trail, the harder it gets. The area down by the CU research road is less technical and get's fairly gravelly. Sourdough is approximately 12-13 miles long (one way). As Zen rider mentioned, riding this thing as an out and back from one end to the other is an all day affair and a great experience. Although it's mostly all above 8500', the area is very thickly wooded and doesn't yeild a ton of great views to the east. North of Brainard Lake Rd, however, there are a couple spots with absolutely fantastic views of Sawtooth Mt and the Indian Peaks. Remember, the further North you get, the rougher the trail gets. Just stay on course, following marker 835 and you'll be set.

Recommended Route:
Most folks reviewing this are starting at the Southern Terminus. I generally ride from the North end, starting at Camp Dick/Peacefull Valley. There's only one way. Stay on the trail marked as 835. Go as far as you want and turn around. More detailed info with pics and maps can be found here: http://www.redstonecyclery.com/bldirt%20camp%20dick%20peacfull%20valley.htm

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Baptite/Wapiti, Middle St Vrain Rd, S St Vrain Trail, Buchanan Pass, Coney Creek Rd, too many to mention.
More area trails can be found here: http://www.redstonecyclery.com/bldirt.htm

enjoy!

Review Date
August 28, 2004

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Every few months

Reviewed by: ZenRide ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Some other reviews on this trail crack me up. Yes, it is rocky in spots. Yes, it is crowded on the weekends (but not like trails nearer to Boulder, Golden, or Denver). Yes, the begining from the Mountain Research road is deceiving with it's width and gravel covering. No, it is not covered in snow most of the year. The first time I rode this trail, I wasn't too excited either. But then I realized you could link three sections together, and THAT is the ride to do, Especially if you think the Soudough trail sucks and is intermediate, or worse yet, for beginners.

It sounds like most reviewers only talk about the section from the big lot off the Mtn Research Center/Rainbow Lakes Road, and then up to Brainard Lake road. You want technical? Do the next section from Brainard to the "Boy Scout Camp" road. And THEN, continue on the other side of that road down to Camp Dick. And then ride back up, and down, and over to where you started.

The first section is fairly moderate with a little challenge here and there. But has some great sections. iIt rolls through some really beautiful forest terrain. (especially this rainy summer we've had)

The middle section crosses the mighty St. Vrain river, which also runs along side the trail for some time. (it also ties into the So. St. Vrain Trail) This section is a mix of smooth cruising trail and large rocky technical. If you thought that the first section was not challenging, ride the middle section! If you can ride the whole thing without even a dab, you get a gold star.

The Third section down to Camp Dick/Peaceful Valley area is quite sweet. A mix of nice singletrack, and a little bit wider sections. Rolling through forest and over rivers (including a nice skinny bridge crossing). Then pick your way down a somewhat/sometimes rocky switchback hillside and end up down near what I think was the start of the Buchannan Pass trail, and Camp Dick.

Then Ride it back! Didn't map it out, but if the first section is about 12 miles R/T, the entire route out and back is probably 25 miles or so.

My ratings are for a geared bike. Although, I rode the entire thing on my Spot singlespeed with a rigid Yo Eddy Fork. (An-aerobic rating would have been higher in that case!) The technical rating is only if you do the entire route.

Take a weekday off, and ride it before the snow flies!

Recommended Route:
The entire route.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
That would be telling...

Review Date
August 28, 2004

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Every few months

Reviewed by: ZenRide ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Some other reviews on this trail crack me up. Yes, it is rocky in spots. Yes, it is crowded on the weekends (but not like trails nearer to Boulder, Golden, or Denver). Yes, the begining from the Mountain Research road is deceiving with it's width and gravel covering. No, it is not covered in snow most of the year. The first time I rode this trail, I wasn't too excited either. But then I realized you could link three sections together, and THAT is the ride to do, Especially if you think the Soudough trail sucks and is intermediate, or worse yet, for beginners.

It sounds like most reviewers only talk about the section from the big lot off the Mtn Research Center/Rainbow Lakes Road, and then up to Brainard Lake road. You want technical? Do the next section from Brainard to the "Boy Scout Camp" road. And THEN, continue on the other side of that road down to Camp Dick. And then ride back up, and down, and over to where you started.

The first section is fairly moderate with a little challenge here and there. It rolls through some really beautiful forest terrain. (especially this rainy summer we've had)

The middle section crosses the mighty St. Vrain river, which also run along side the trail for some time. (it also ties into the So. St. Vrain Trail) This section is a mix of smooth cruising trail and large rocky technical. If you thought that the first section was not challenging, ride the middle section! If you can ride the whole thing without even a dab, you get a gold star.

The Third section down to Camp Dick/Peaceful Valley area is quite sweet. A mix of nice singletrack, and a little bit wider sections. Rolling through forest and over rivers (including a nice skinny bridge crossing). Then pick your way down a somewhat/sometimes rocky switchback hillside and end up down near what I think was the start of the Buchannan Pass trail, and Camp Dick.

Then Ride it back! Didn't map it out, but if the first section is about 12 miles R/T, the entire route out and back is probably 25 miles or so.

My ratings are for a geared bike. Although, I rode the entire thing on my Spot singlespeed with a rigid Yo Eddy Fork. (An-aerobic rating would have been higher in that case!) The technical rating is only if you do the entire route.

Take a weekday off, and ride it before the snow flies!

Recommended Route:
The entire route.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
That would be telling...

Review Date
August 28, 2004

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Every few months

Reviewed by: ZenRide ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Some other reviews on this trail crack me up. Yes, it is rock in spots. Yes, it is crowded on the weekends (but not like trails nearer to Boulder, Golden, or Denver). Yes, the begining from the Mountain Research road is deceiving with it's width and gravel covering. No, it is not covered in snow most of the year. The first time I rode this trail, I wasn't too excited either. But then I realized you could link three sections together, and THAT is the ride to do, Especially if you think the Soudough trail sucks and is intermediate, or worse yet, for beginners.

It sounds like most reviewers only talk about the section from the big lot off the Mtn Research Center/Rainbow Lakes Road, and then up to Brainard Lake road. You want technical? Do the next section from Brainard to the "Boy Scout Camp" road. And THEN, continue on the other side of that road down to Camp Dick. And then ride back up, and down, and over to where you started.

The first section is fairly moderate with a little challenge here and there. It rolls through some really beautiful forest terrain. (especially this rainy summer we've had)

The middle section crosses the mighty St. Vrain river, which also run along side the trail for some time. (it also ties into the So. St. Vrain Trail) This section is a mix of smooth cruising trail and large rocky technical. If you thought that the first section was not challenging, ride the middle section! If you can ride the whole thing without even a dab, you get a gold star.

The Third section down to Camp Dick/Peaceful Valley area is quite sweet. A mix of nice singletrack, and a little bit wider sections. Rolling through forest and over rivers (including a nice skinny bridge crossing). Then pick your way down a somewhat/sometimes rocky switchback hillside and end up down near what I think was the start of the Buchannan Pass trail, and Camp Dick.

Then Ride it back! Didn't map it out, but if the first section is about 12 miles R/T, the entire route out and back is probably 25 miles or so.

My ratings are for a geared bike. Although, I rode the entire thing on my Spot singlespeed with a rigid Yo Eddy Fork. (An-aerobic rating would have been higher in that case!) The technical rating is only if you do the entire route.

Take a weekday off, and ride it before the snow flies!

Recommended Route:
The entire route.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
That would be telling...