Review Date
May 6, 2008

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Every few months

Reviewed by: stpcrkr ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
I would recommend 2 spare tire tubes and a patch kit for this ride. I've never gotten through it without at least one flat tire. One time I took a friend on a hardtail, he had at least 6 flats. Lots of sharp angular rocks! Technically the trail is fairly easy, however there are a few spots with really bad exposure. Just look where you want to go! The positive is that this is a fantastic canyon you're riding through. Quintessential Wyoming, roaring stream, lots of aspens, and old mining ruins.

Recommended Route:
Out and back from the bottom, or shuttle from Sand Lake Rd down. The longest ride I have done (and my favorite it's kindoff the Snowy Range junior version of the Monarch Crest trail) is from Lake Marie through The Gap (extensive hike a bike section), over miles of rolling tundra to Sheep Lake, take a left and it's 3000 foot or so downhill from there to the trail head.

Review Date
January 13, 2007

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a year

Reviewed by: dauwalt ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
Great downhill run in rock creek canyon, with steep exposure, technical talus fields, and great scenery. Trail was well maintained when I rode.

Recommended Route:
Park at the bottom, ride FR 111 to FR 101 up to trailhead at Sand Lake, and then descend.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Sheep Lake Trail (from Sand Lake to Brooklyn Lake).

Review Date
July 13, 2005

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: fattiretim ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
This is a great late summer ride or well after the snow melt. I rode it over the July 4th weekend (05) and it was still very wet in many sections on the upper part. As other riders have commented, it's better as a shuttle due to the numerous talus fields and fallen trees which intersect the trail forcing you to dismount and briefly carry your bike. The trail snakes along the Rock Creek and becomes dangerously narrow at high elevations forcing you to keep a careful eye on your line. If this trail was maintained regularly, it would be a bigger attraction for sure, but the flipside isn't always better. Definitely worth checking out if you've ridden everything on the front range and crave more.

Recommended Route:
Shuttle from the bottom and start at the Deep Creek campground.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Happy Jack, Beaver Meadows, Killpecker

Review Date
July 13, 2005

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: fattiretim ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
This is a great late summer ride or well after the snow melt. I rode it over the July 4th weekend (05) and it was still very wet in many sections on the upper part. As other riders have commented, it's better as a shuttle due to the numerous talus fields and fallen trees which intersect the trail forcing you to dismount and briefly carry your bike. The trail snakes along the Rock Creek and becomes dangerously narrow at high elevations forcing you to keep a careful eye on your line. If this trail was maintained regularly, it would be a bigger attraction for sure, but the flipside isn't always better. Definitely worth checking out if you've ridden everything on the front range and crave more.

Recommended Route:
Shuttle from the bottom and start at the Deep Creek campground.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Happy Jack

Review Date
May 3, 2005

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 2 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Every few months

Reviewed by: wjoel ,  Racer

Summary:
The trail is best if shuttled. It's a great ride, 12 miles almost entirely down hill!

Recommended Route:
Shuttle up from Arlington and ride down the trail. Plan on being out for a couple hours