Review Date
June 27, 2006

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: abegold ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
This is an amazing trail. It seems to change near the start, around every corner. The ruins are plentiful and some are being restored. At times you'll ride on slickrock, usually very well packed dirt and sand surface, found very little loose sand. Feelings of excitement almost extreme here, an emotional experience as trails go.
Vegetation is mainly junipers, cliff rose, some pine, gooseberry, yucca and some cactus. One of Colorado's best.

Recommended Route:
Route finding is tricky but just stick to the most defined trails. Some fools have ridden across the area causing long standing damage that threatens access, greatly. Get a map and expect to feel lost at times. I arrived on an early summer morning at sunrise to 60 degree weather and solitude. Follow cairns across rock and most defined trails elsewhere. Signs are few. Downhill trails are built by mountain bikers for bikes!

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Phil's World

Review Date
February 26, 2006

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Every few months

Reviewed by: crondula ,  Racer

Summary:
Trial system is over a rolling terrain through canyons. Good mix of climbs and downhill. Some slick rock on the Southern end, trail system is scrub brush country, with plenty of shady spots to rest.

Recommended Route:
Some additional description of the trails: **Sand Canyon** 6.5mi trail connecting Rd G to Rd N. Easy riding, with several native ruins and turnoffs for other trails. Trail most popular with hikers and horse riders. Last 1.5 mi thru sandy wash and then steep rocky climb to get to Rd N, which is not worth riding. **East Rock Canyon** Peels off to the West from Sand Canyon trail 1.5mi North from South end of Sand Canyon trail head. There is a sign on the trail. 5mi loop that will head South. The West Rock Canoyon trail starts 0.7 miles from the start of E Rock Canyon. Follow the sign "To Trail Head" to the left to take the shorter E Rock trail or go to the right to take the West Rock trail. There is a fork on the South end of the trail which you can go right to connect back to the W Rock trail to get the slick rock or go left to take the shorter but way lame trip to the parking area via E Rock trail. **West Rock Canyon** 15 mile loop West of the East Rock Canyon trail. By far the best trail in Sand Canyon, there are some extended runs through rolling terrain which you can haul some major butt. You take the East Rock Canyon trail exit off Sand Canyon as described above. West Rock peels off North from E Rock about 0.7 miles from Sand Canyon. The trail heads off NW and then loops back to the SE. There are some nice climbs and downhills, with several areas crossing creek washes. The South end connects to other Westward and Southward loops for additional riding. The South end nearest the parking lot has about 1.5 miles of slick rock terrain. All loops I know of on the South end lead back to the South parking area.

Review Date
February 4, 2004

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a month

Review Date
May 15, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Every few months