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MTB TRAIL STATS

Avg Rating:	23 trail reviews
Status: Open updated 10/18/08 by jbersch Closed Open Wet / Sketchy	Difficulty: Advanced
Length: 8 miles	Global Rank: 418
Tread: Singletrack	Configuration: Network
Ridden: 245	Wishlist: 85
Avg. Speed: 5.51 mph	Avg. Time: 1hr 7min

 

Vail Mountain in Vail

 

Bergen Peak in Evergreen

 

Keystone Resort in Dillon

 

Indian Creek Loop in Denver

 

  
reviewed by Bwpaulk on January 8, 2010

Hike and biked up Apex and down Enchanted Forest and found the whole experience to be more work than fun. To clarify, I'm new to the sport, live in Kansas and was riding a borrowed Trek with front suspension. I've ridden several trials on the front range and Apex was just a few miles from my hotel. By no means am I out of shape, but relative bike skills combined with the altitude left me whooped. Apex from the parking lot is up hill with lots of rocks and water bars. I found myself hiking several sections. The ride down through Enchanted Forest while certainly easier going was over too soon I and not worth all the work. (Going endo didn't help) The front range has better options for beginning and intermediate riders. Check out my helmet cam video in Enchanted Forest that ends in a cloud of dust.

Similar Trail: Deer Creek: the climb is just as tough but the pay off is better

  
reviewed by SportBilly on September 27, 2009

I'm new to Colorado - just moved here from London with my wife - and this was the first trail in the mountains that I tried. HA! I've currently got a 15 year old Trek, no suspension, clunky gears, and not been on a trail for a few years. To give you an idea of my unprepared-ness - I was wearing a button down shirt. Its safe to say that Apex kicked my arse! Went up the trail, did the pick and sledge, if I'm honest I probably walked about 50 per cent of the climb and what with the altitude, nearly quit a couple of times. Then came down the Sluicebox, which was technical and rocky, but still really fun. Came down Apex after that because I was running out of water. i found that part a slightly irritating downhill not much chance to get speed up and some super tricky rocky sections - especially with zero suspension. After that the shallow downhill to the car park has a couple of little jumps and is a nice respite. I thought this trail was awesome, I just need a bit more experience and possibly a better bike and I'l be back. Next time I wont miss the enchanted forest bit.

  
reviewed by Speedman on September 20, 2009

As many have said, don't miss out on Enchanted Forest trail. I descended this section and it was very nice. I also found the Grubstake trail that completes the lower loop is a great downhill - tight turns, drops, and sweeping corners. It can be a pretty high-speed decent if you catch it on a not-so-busy day.

Similar Trail: White Ranch

  
reviewed by FooserX on July 21, 2009

I'm pretty new to mtb, and the first time up this trail had me borderline angry! lol The rocks were jagged and the trail was steep! I definitely hiked a lot of the initial technical stuff which wasn't too fun. Now I've been up twice, and absolutely love it. I can ride down it without stepping down...except for all the switchbacks on the other trails. When I do eff up, I just try it again. Some parts can be scary though as you are high on the mountain side. Some of the switchbacks are just crazy because there are a lot of obstacles around them. This ride is awesome once you get over the fear of some of the rock drops. I definitely prefer a trial like this to smooth single track as it requires focus and skills. Enchanted Forest is straight out of Lord of the Rings and is a necessity! It feels like you're in another world being so shaded from the sun with all the trees around you. Going up the technical terrain is a killer workout, and I really don't mind because I'm there to hone my skills. It doesn't take long to get zonked though and have to walk. I definitely wouldn't make this a first ride for a beginner, but an intermediate level rider with a few rides under his belt would be fine. If it gets too scary, just walk it...no big deal. After a couple tries and falls, everything is fun. Definitely try to avoid times with lots of hikers/bikers...but the technical sections are spaced out so you can stop to let them by, and not really miss your momentum too much. There are some steep climbs all over this park, but that's just par for the course for CO, no?

* Review edited 7/21/2009

Similar Trail: Dakota Ridge, White Ranch

  
reviewed by JonnyP47 on July 12, 2009

Are you kidding me? This trail is from hell. First time riding it I took Apex trail up to Enchanted Forest, hung a left, and down Enchanted Forest, reconnected to Apex and back to the Parking lot. The ride was about 5.5 miles. This trail is extremely difficult on the climb as you have to contend with 3-5'' rocks after rocks, forcing you to hike-a-bike a few sections. I didn't take "pick n' sledge' rather continued climbing ALL THE WAY UP to Enchanted Forest which was very secluded and picture perfect. Even still, some ridicuously steep climbs + roots + rocks=Hike-a-bike. On the down hill extremely rocky with only short sections of smooth single track. Definetly had to pick your lines on the way down, if not, prepare to endo and sample Colorado's finest soil. I would ride this trail once more for the abuse, but thats about it. Thank you.

Similar Trail: N/A.

  
reviewed by kuala_tahan on July 5, 2009

Real fun trail, riding Apex up is technical in parts, pretty decent climb. Enchanted Forest is a blast, ride up Apex to the top to catch Enchanted downhill, great stuff. Couple other trails in the network I didn't get a chance to check out

Similar Trail: Hall Ranch

  
reviewed by Shanet74 on May 24, 2009

Lots of work up. Not for beginners. Enchanted forest is one of the best sections of trail in the state, so worth the climb. Exposed area, so ride early or on cooler days. Probably best to avoid on weekends with hikers.

  
reviewed by rblasko55 on May 22, 2009

Great trial. Good for Upper intermediate to expert riders. For a great work out you can do Super Apex (take Apex to the top then ride along the lookout mountian trial and down Chimney Gulch then back.)

Similar Trail: Deer Creek Canyon

  
reviewed by nathanho on May 9, 2009

Too many people on Apex. Enchanted Forest is awesome! This trail is better hiked than biked.

* Review edited 5/9/2009

  
reviewed by stillfat on December 1, 2008

I prefer going up Apex, down Enchanted Forest, up the Sluice Box and then down Pick N Sledge. Enchanted Forest is short but sweet, Sluice Box is 11 switchbacks to the top, all rideable save 3 (5,6,7) which are probably doable by the burliest among us. The only really "tough" part of this trail is the initial technical madness climbing on the first 3/4 mile of Apex. Apex, on a day without crowds is a super-fun ride and never seems to get old. Ride this in the snow, midsummer heat or a weekday before 3 and you'll enjoy yourself here. The place gets silly with hikers and trailrunners at peak user times though. The overwhelming majority of these folks are very friendly/polite and will often wave you along even after you yield to them. However, there's a few bad apples - usually testosterone brimming alpha-male Boulder trail runners who'll refuse to let you by and try to run you off the trail with their manliness even after you've yielded to them or politely asked permission to pass them. Bottom line: ride when it ain't busy and if that's unavoidable, be kind and yield trail. We all have to tolerate each other in the great outdoors so be prepared to do so. Oh yeah, don't crash into the elk herd in fall.

Similar Trail: White Ranch, Dakota Ridge

  
reviewed by BFD on September 4, 2008

Technical uphill for sure, but the rewards for your labor are definitely worth it. I'll just call the uphill sections a "labor of love"! Maybe taking the trail counter-clockwise would be less work, more play?

Similar Trail: Waterton Canyon/Colorado Trail Loop

  
reviewed by osutammy7 on August 16, 2008

This is a challenging uphill but worth it to get to the trails at the top. I rode the proposed directions and found it a great ride. The Sluicebox trail is a kick to ride down, very technical with all the rocks and switchbacks but an awesome ride! I would definitely recomend riding down Sluicebox instead of coming up it- it was my favorite part of the whole day!* Review edited 8/16/2008

* Review edited 8/16/2008

Similar Trail: Deer creek canyon

  
reviewed by Permagrin on August 10, 2008

Although a bit daunting with the initial climb and the elevation, this trail was tricky fun. A bit technical in some spots because of all the rocks and the switchbacks on Sluicebox but the climbs weren't too bad once warmed up and the scenery along Enchanted Forest was pretty. We did the entire loop as described (counter clockwise up Enchanted for a nice downhill) and I took a fall coming down Apex onto my back on the rocks but I'd ride it again if in the area.

  
reviewed by steve32300 on November 1, 2007

From the lower parking lot of heritage square its all up hill,even way down at the bottom the trail starts right off with water breaks and rocks.not much of a warm up,so pedal around the parking lot for 5 or 10 minutes to get a litlle blood flowing first.the rock garden here is at the lower portion,and its challenging,although i've cleared it probably half the time.from the rock garden you can go right(pick and sledge i believe)or you can go strait up(apex)i've mostly went right to ride around the front side.nice little climb with switch backs.got a few choices up top also.i've never took grubstke yet although i hear it is cool.loop around the back side and into apex and go right to continue up to enchanted forest or go left and back down to parking lot.its pretty technicaly rocky either way you go so have fun and yes,watch out for hikers.this trail is popular.

Similar Trail: mathews/winters

  
reviewed by Lancefan on December 1, 2006

This is a great downhill, I suggest going down Enchanted Forest. I looped this trail with Chimney Gulch. You can get back by using a paved path at the bottom of heritige square.

* Review edited 12/1/2006

  
reviewed by MarkZahn on October 15, 2006

Apex is a technical riders trail, beginners will find themselves hike-a-biking frequently. Uphill isn't that bad for me, I am not challenged physically but technically in skills. Downhill I can clear everything which is very tough, and very obtuse and violent rock formations & sequences put you on the edge. It's a good trail to fine tune climbing skills, I saw many times small groups of bikers repeating sections to progress their skills. I learn something new on this trail everytime, and increase my courage more each time due to increasing the variables of physics to increase the intensity of the challenge (speed at going over sections). If you're a beginner, try it but plan on hike-a-biking, it's a good way to get familiar with trails such as these.

Similar Trail: Dakota Ridge, Deer Creek Canyon, Mathew Winters/Red Rocks Trail

  
reviewed by yellowdman on June 23, 2006

It's a fun ride! Honestly I think it's an easy ride but I've been riding Mtn. Bikes for years so don't take it the wrong way. It's a good leg burner to help get you in shape because it's a steady uphill with some flats which makes it even more fun when your coming back down. It can be technical for some riders but I don't think it's that bad. It's a great after work ride!

Similar Trail: Hogback

  
reviewed by Monkeybutt on April 25, 2006

This is a great early season or winter ride One of the first ones I have done in colorado. But kicking climb to prepare you for the rest of the season. I gennerally prefer the up and back route. You can get some serious speed and launch off some nice little rollers. The upper section has some awsome single track. This trail has a bit of everything. Watch out for people as it can be very crouded on a nice day...

  
reviewed by c3667 on October 19, 2005

I like apex . it is deffinatley a challenge to make it over all the obsticles, but very doable. the climb up is worth the amaizing downhill you get in return.

Similar Trail: Mt. falcon

  
reviewed by jbersch on October 18, 2005

A beautiful, challenging climb along the pass. Many difficult obstacles await you (rocks and logs) and this kills your momentum a bit. But itís mostly wide singletrack, heavily worn in some areas. I really like the terrain and isolation of this ride. Head down Enchanted Forest for a sweet downhill run through the trees. There are a few other side trails too, which Iíll have to try another day. Consider heading up Chimney Gulch (separate trail) and then down Apex for a spectacular ride.

Similar Trail: Chimney Gulch

  
reviewed by mtberman on January 16, 2005

This trail is heavily used by runners. Most days it's not possible to ride more than a few minutes without stopping yield. I agree with the reviewers that said it's overused & there are much better area rides. I also agree that it's a challenging uphill. There have problems in the last couple years with downhill enthusiasts using it as a shuttle and a few of them have angered hikers by not yielding and/or by skidding and causing trail problems. On a quiet weekday, however, it can be a lot of fun. Just don't try tom come down the way you came up.

Similar Trail: Dakota Ridge or White Ranch

  
reviewed by mscottcody on September 1, 2004

This trail is way too popular and way too over used. There are better trails in the area that don\'t have as much foot traffic. It\'s not for beginners as they will get too frustrated with the technical and steep sections.

Similar Trail: Mathew Winters, Chimney Gulch

  
reviewed by trek7k on March 26, 2004

Whoa, this trail is crowded on weekends. The trail has some fun sections but overall I have to say it's pretty overused and therefore not in the shape it might have been in years past. Definitely a technical challenge for advanced riders, not a great loop for a training ride or for beginners. Don't let the length fool you either-this trail is difficult.

Similar Trail: Some of the other Denver area trails are simliar (though I don't know if I would recommend them): Mounta Falcon, Deer Creek Canyon

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