Review Date
June 13, 2008

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a month

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: endo-boy ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Excellent trail, has been recently improved with better parking, outhouse, and connector trails that allow you to link the loop to the out and back up north. Total length is now probably more than 10 miles. I wish they would open up the Eldo connector, but this is Boulder and they hate mountain bikes for some reason. One great thing about this trail is that you will pass at least two sources of running water, so dunk the knuts, cool off, and continue riding on those hot days. I wish this was a 10 point system, because I would give it a 9, not a 10.

Recommended Route:
I prefer to travel counter clockwise, the descent from the upper parking lot is great, with several small to medium hits. Cross the stream, follow the creek, cross the bridge and crank back up. I really enjoy the meadow descent. I dont mind carrying my bike down the steps, as the trail flows so much better in that direction that its worth it. Once you get back to the parking lot, find the connector trail and take that to the North and complete the out and back.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Hall, white ranch

Review Date
June 13, 2008

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a month

Reviewed by: endo-boy ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Excellent trail, has been recently improved with better parking, outhouse, and connector trails that allow you to link the loop to the out and back up north. Total length is now probably more than 10 miles. I wish they would open up the Eldo connector, but this is Boulder and they hate mountain bikes for some reason. One great thing about this trail is that you will pass at least two sources of running water, so dunk the knuts, cool off, and continue riding on those hot days. I wish this was a 10 point system, because I would give it a 9, not a 10.

Recommended Route:
I prefer to travel counter clockwise, the descent from the upper parking lot is great, with several small to medium hits. Cross the stream, follow the creek, cross the bridge and crank back up. I really enjoy the meadow descent. I dont mind carrying my bike down the steps, as the trail flows so much better in that direction that its worth it. Once you get back to the parking lot, find the connector trail and take that to the North and complete the out and back.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Hall, white ranch

Review Date
May 31, 2008

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a month

Reviewed by: slimat99 ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Great front range loop. This loop is fun clock wise or counter. I personally prefer doing it counter because there are more Tehnical lines to be had, and you climb double track rather than decend it, which im my opinion, is a waist of elevation, but like I said, there's fun single track DH either way, you really can't go wrong. This area, like all front range trail systems, is very easy to navigate. There are no shortage of trail signs. If you get lost out here, you need to think about taking up another sport that doesn't involve the outdoors. I'm suprised to here that people don't regard this loop as one of the most technical on the front range. The "portage" section that everyone refers to is 100% ridable. I say this having only cleaned 95% of it, but if someone has big enough ones, it's all ridable. The first true technical section on the stair portage has a very high consequence of error that may include death, so that's why I didn't try it. Once you walk the first staired switch back, the rest is totally ridable and tons of fun! I hear a lot about Dakota Rige being the Front Range's most technical trail. I will have to disagree. There is nothing on Dakota that comes close to the "Portage." If you like flowey, fast single track, with some fun rock sections, steep climbs, and one steep nasty section that will keep you interested over and over, you can't beat this loop! And the scenery is some of the best on the Front Range, not to mention a beautiful white water river that makes me want to take up Kayaking

Recommended Route:
Counter clockwise if you like Technical lines and want to have a go at cleaning the Portage; clockwise if you prefer less technical trails. Both ways require a fair amount of climbing, but counter clockwise cuts out the hike a bike up the Portage.

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Review Date
August 14, 2006

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 5 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 5 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a year

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: arnolda14 ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
This is one of the two very best rides on the Front Range, the other being Elk Meadow.

Review Date
March 6, 2005

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Every few months

Reviewed by: jbaum90 ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
This is a pretty aerobic trail no matter which way you go. The north side is a thick forest, the south side is an open expanse. In the middle down by the river, there's some great rolling trails that you can haul ass on. The 'hike-a-bike' section isn't that bad, but be sure that you're able to hold your bike with one hand before you attempt it. You're other hand will be used for grabbing onto things to prevent falling hundreds of feet.

Recommended Route:
Depends on what type of downhill you enjoy. If you start off counter clockwise, you'll be on the south side of the mountain for most of the time, so it's a lot drier, and very open. If you go clockwise, you'll ride down on the north side of the mountain. It's covered in dense foliage, has some quick switchbacks, and soft ground. I like this route much better than starting on the south side.