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Ride Summary:
Warm up on Homestead Trail before tackling the sometimes-gnarly Walker Ranch Loop.
Trail Description:
If you choose to warm up on the Homestead Trail, you'll end up at the overlook to Boulder Canyon. It's about 2.7 miles each way. I'm noting mileage for those whose choose to include Homestead, otherwise subtract 5.5 miles.
5.5 - Back at the parking lot and ready for a real ride. Begin on the paved road and take a right turn looking for the Walker Ranch Loop. South Boulder Creek Trailhead is on your left at a parking lot on a top of hill.
6.0 - South Boulder Creek Trailhead, follow the old fire road down as it parallels the creek;
7.7 - Cross over on the bridge, turn left and begin a steep uphill climb;
8.7 - Find the trail at the end of a dirt road, take left turn to Crescent Meadows Trailhead;
8.8 - You'll find some sweet mountainside singletrack! NOTE: there will be some technical sections to negotiate.
10.9 - Get off your bike at the cliffs! Do not try to ride it. Despite easy look at first, the trail drops off...WAY OFF and REAL FAST!
At the South Boulder Creek bridge crossing;
11.2 - Find the intersection and go left up a steep trail;
12.2 - At the Columbine Gulch Trail intersection take a left;
13.0 - You're rewarded with a pretty nice view after a tough climb;
13.9 - You're back at the South Boulder Creek Trailhead, take the paved road back to the Meyers Gulch parking lot for about 0.6 miles.
How to get there:
In Boulder take Baseline Road and drive up to Flagstaff Mountain. Follow the road for about 9.0 miles from the Hwy 36 exit through the park and find a parking lot at the Meyers Gulch - Homestead Trailhead on your right, look for the sign.
Additional Notes:
There are some non-rideable parts on this trail. Please don't try it.
| Posted by: colorado_vr6 on 4/14/2008 |
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This trail is great. I wouldn't give it an advanced rating. I am a beginner and it was the funnest trail I have ever done. I agree with the left direction, I went to the right and the uphill battles were a great workout. I would just rather go down those technical decends. Great Ride!!!
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| Posted by: Sensi on 4/20/2001 |
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If you have the balls ride up Flagstaff, burn one at the trailhead and let the good times roll.
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| Posted by: derek rigsby on 4/11/2000 |
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the way the trail is described by this page is absolutly perfect. The technical sections are incrediby fun, and exiting. However I feel it is a better ride if you begin the walker ranch loop going left in the begining. This makes for a different ride entirely. You will begin with the columbine gulch portion which has nice switchbacking and quick elevation loss. Essentially the downhill is better in this directiion throughout the trail. furthermore the climb at the end is the fire road instead of the steep and technical columbine gulch. The only problem with this is you must carry your bike up
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