Reviewed by: McFly , from Manitou

Summary:
I last took this trail 6.17.03 in a rain storm - (barely) no pedestrians - it was the best ride I've had there. The greatest part of Waldo is that most trails that taper off head into National Forest, and can get you lost!

Recommended Route:
Take it counter clockwise for a challenging climb - strenuous like the first part of Barr Trail

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Across the Waldo Canyon parking lot (and HWY 24!!!)is a gate that connects to the Ute Trail for some additional grunt work.

Reviewed by: craigy , from colorado springs

Summary:
Lots of climbing, some hike-a-bike, the descents are ful of swtich-backs, the trail surface changes from granite to sandstone and a coupla others, the scenery is great.
This trail is popular with hikers so early weekdays are the quietest times, else be prepared to avoid hikers a lot.
The climbing is hard, the first coupla miles being an almost constant grind on exposed gravelly singletrack, the first descent down to the valley is really great woody singletrack, halfway into the small valley you can choose to go eaither clockwise or anti-clockwise, I'd recommend clockwise for first time riders of this trail.
The ascent winds up through a heavily wooded valley and crosses a streama few times, some sections are rocky and technical, the granite can be hard to climb as traction can be crap. Once you get to the top admire the views of Pikes Peak etal.
the next few miles follows just below the ridge line with a few drastic changes in trail surface (one of the perks of Waldo!) The trail here is more exposed and runs mainly through scrub oak. You cross the Ridge and look out over rampart range road then after a brief uphill kicker you do the real fast part. The descent back is the highlight of the whole trail, fast, with switchbacks ending up going through heavily wooded singletrack to the valley floor. The you climb back out and do another fairly fast exposed gravelly section to the carpark - ride the three sets of steps, it's agreat end to the trail.
Can't stress enough that the main users of this trail are hikers/runners, so please be aware opf them and duly courteous, ta!

Recommended Route:
Riding it clockwise is best, but for the best technical descent ride it anti-clockwise

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Pikes peak-Barr Trail, anything around Cheyenne Canyon, palmer park, Ute park, Falcon trail, Rampart Range Road, Rampart Resevoir, Mt. Herman, all the trails around Rampart Range Road as it head's North, there are loads of brilliant singletrack trails pout there, the descent of Stanley Canyon into the USAFA is one I like to do!

Reviewed by: Randy Sanders , from Ft. Carson, CO

Summary:
This trail lets me know that I will never be good enough to prosper at this altitude. It's almost all climbing for the first five miles. The other two include a nice downhill, that it itermitted with uphills and hike-a-bikes (for the non technical amung us). I won't be including this trail on my frequent riding list, but if your in the area, it is worth a look. If for anything, the scenery is great.

Recommended Route:
Take it clockwise at the fork.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
If you don't want to stop at Waldo, keep going all the way to Rampart Resevoir.

Reviewed by: Roscoe , from Colorado Springs

Summary:
Do not do this trail counter-clockwise. There is far too much gravel and switchbacks to make it rideable. By riding clockwise, you only have a couple of quick dismounts by the creek and the rest is way rideable. The downhill is very fast, rocky, and gives you a lot of practice for switchbacks. Hit the trail early in the morning to beat the hiking traffic and go during the middle of the week. The riding is best in late spring when the trail is still pretty solid.

Recommended Route:
Clockwise!

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Upper Rim, Section 16, Captain Jacks, The Chutes, Ute Valley, Rampart Reservoir, Falcon

Reviewed by: spence , from manitou

Summary:
As stated...hard to ride as the trail is very popular w/runners, hikers, etc. It's not really worth it as you have so much people traffic. Very early weekday morning....maybe. Great going 1.5 miles to the fork and from there to the top. From the top, the return involves quite a few dismounts. Couldn't get much rhythm. Maybe the way is clockwise, and you could hike-a-bike up the rocky, unrideable sections. Very scenic!

Recommended Route:
counter-clockwise

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Captn Jacks, Rampart Reservoir, Jones Downhill...others I won't mention because they are becoming too popular!