Review Date
December 27, 2008

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 2 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: Farmer Ted ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
This is a great cruise-y singletrack trail and you can ride parts of it REALLY fast (20-30+mph) so even though it's not a technical monster it can really give you a speed fix if you want one. The other thing I like about it is that there are rewards going both ways. If you come from the Devil's Backbone side there's a couple nice downhill sections and a great 'pump' type section for the last mile and a half or so before you empty out at Horestooth Reservior. If you're coming from Horsetooth there's a long (around 2 mile) gradual downhill with lots of high speed potential on the way back to the Coyote Ridge "T". If you ride it from Horsetooth to the Backbone trailhead and back it's about a 19 mile ride and if you want that technical fix, you'll definitely get it in the Devil's Backbone section. This (paired with Devil's Backbone and the Indian Summer trail) is my favorite ride in the Fort Collins area (tied with some of the stuff at Lory State Park and Horsetooth Mtn Park. Just stay the @#&#$&* away from this trail on weekends...it is a mess. It's a great ride on the weekdays or late in the evening as its getting dark.

Recommended Route:
I do this one of two ways...Start at the Devil's Backbone trailhead in Loveland and ride DB to the Blue Sky trail Take the Indian Summer loop clockwise and reconnect to Blue Sky then ride it the rest of the way to the Horsetooth inlet and back (I skip Indian Summer on the way back). Or start at the Horsetooth side and do just the opposite. With the Indian Summer loop in there it's about a 21 mile out and back. If you want to you can throw in part or all of the Coyote Ridge loop for a few more miles and more climbing.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Some of the trails at Horsetooth Mtn Park are fun but be prepared to climb!!!! Trails at Lory State park are good as well...especially the ones connecting to Horsetooth. Also in the area are the Pineridge and horsetooth "A" trails which can be connected to make a pretty decent loop.

Review Date
February 24, 2007

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 1 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 2 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a month

Reviewed by: timroz ,  Racer

Summary:
This is probably the most beginner / single speed friendly trail in the vicinity. Not nearly the climbing or amount of technical stuff as next door at the 'tooth. I only use this trail as a connector home from Horsetooth if I am looking to add some miles without the vertical. The last couple of times I rode it it was thick with runners and it can be a little tiresome stopping every few minutes for a runner to go past. It's easy to go fast on and there are lots of blind corners. Do it in the early AM or after dark in the summer or it will be crowded. Pretty good winter trail.

Recommended Route:
Either way - both fast and fun.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
All of them.

Review Date
January 25, 2007

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: subliminalshiver ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
The actual "Blue Sky" part of this trail is relatively ho-hum. If you were going to just ride the blue sky part of it. The true beauty of it is that it connects two great singletracky places together with a lovely ribbon of undulating single/double track and adds miles. The Blue Sky trail sits right in between Devils Backbone and Horsetooth Mountain Park. Ridden from the DB, this provides roughly 50 miles of lollypop goodness. The DB section can be very technical, and the HMP side has some terrific climbs and descents. String them together and pack a lunch. Better yet, find a buddy/shop guy/local to ride with- the HMP side has lots to offer and a little planning or experience in the area will serve best to create a loop with the elements you are looking for.

Recommended Route:
Start out at the Devils Backbone trailhead and head north. The trail is plainly marked, but be warned! Blue Sky is a sandstone oven in the heat of summer and there is no water available for the next 10 miles or so! Take Once you get out the Devils Backbone (technical, evil, odd-angled rocks) you're in for smooth sailing. Take the Laughing Horse loop for an added climb and fun descent.. just do this on the way out. The only other intersection out there is of the RimRock trail which connects to the Coyote Ridge open space. You can also start the trail from the Coyote Ridge parking lot if you'd rather not deal with DB. Continue north and you'll cross underneath a county road and wind through a campground to reach Soderberg open space. This will take you to HMP via the tower access road (aka the wall). Have fun at horsetooth, but eventually link back up to soderberg and find your way home via Blue Sky. Another note of warning! 2006 was a banner year for rattlesnake sightings in this area. Be aware that that stick you're about to bunny-hop might not be a stick. And the spiders are so big that their eyes are visible by flashlight.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Devils Backbone, Horsetooth Mountian Park, A-line, Fort Collins Epic...

Review Date
November 25, 2006

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 2 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 2 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a month

Reviewed by: Justin06GT ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
Great one for all levels of riders, but advanced riders might get bored

Recommended Route:
either hook up from Devil's Backbone, Coyote Ridge/Rimrock, or Soderberg Trailhead

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Devil's Backbone, Coyote Ridge/Rimrock, Indian Summer or Soderberg Trailhead