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MTB TRAIL STATS

Avg Rating:	30 trail reviews
Status: Open updated 9/19/09 by GHOSTWOLF Closed Open Wet / Sketchy	Difficulty: Intermediate
Length: 14 miles	Global Rank: 1
Tread: Singletrack	Configuration: Loop
Ridden: 247	Wishlist: 242
Avg. Speed: 7.87 mph	Avg. Time: 2hr 42min
IMBA Epic Trail

 

3 Sisters / Alderfer in Evergreen

 

Deer Creek Canyon in Littleton

 

Red Rocks/ Dakota Ridge in Denver

 

Mount Falcon Park in Morrison

 

  
reviewed by samuel_sprague on September 14, 2009

Another great ride in the Pine area. Good trail and no crowds.

  
reviewed by spikehj on August 16, 2009

I have lived in CO for just under two years and to date have only ridden the local trails around Col Springs. I have looked forward to some of the epic CO trails and this loved up to its reputation. Great scenery, fun flowing singletrack. Will definitely ride as often as possible.

  
reviewed by shizants on August 10, 2009

nice smooth ride is a nice change from front range burners.

* Review edited 8/10/2009

Similar Trail: Centennial Cone

  
reviewed by marcwheeler on August 8, 2009

This trail was a blast, way fun and a good work out but I'm wondering how it got ranked #1.

  
reviewed by Alizar on July 24, 2009

This trail system is fun, but it's not the best.

Similar Trail: Monarcy Crest Trail

  
reviewed by flip8u on June 30, 2009

Best trail system I've ever ridden. Super flow singletrack. You can keep your speed up even in the climbs, so you don't feel bogged down like some other trails. Best downhill I've ever ridden: Charlie's Cuttoff - Sandy Wash.

  
reviewed by COGator00 on June 25, 2009

WOW!!!!!! This whole trail area (Pine, CO) is full of the best wooded (and fire ravaged) singletrack in CO. Flowing XC, short burst climbing and fast flowing singletrack are the dishes of the day for riders. This trail can be done about a hundred different ways depending on where you start from (Pine Valley Ranch, CO 543 or CO 550) with 543 being the central vein for the area. I started @ the Buffalo Creek entrance along 543 for 3+ mi to the Shinglemill singletrack, climbed past Morrison Creek cutoff continuing to the intersection w/ the CO Trail. Following the CO Trail west you intersect with Tramway, which takes you back down through CO 550 to CO 543 (take a right). 1/4 mile on 543 and then left onto Baldy (723) which climbs through pine forrest for about 2.5 mi. You intersect with Gashouse (726) and turn right through .5 mi of flowing XC to the intersection with Miller Gulch trail (keep right), looking for a quick left onto Homestead (728) singletrack. .2 mi up Homestead is Charlies Cutoff (729 on R), THIS SECTION OF SINGLETRACK MAKES IT ALL WORTH IT!!!!! @ 30 minutes of screaming fast singletrack, wicked water-bar jumps, creek crossings and soft Sandy Wash twists and turns. I rode this into a 24+ mile loop, but all lengths and variations are possible; BRING A MAP (or two) and your riding legs for this EPIC!!!

Similar Trail: Lair 'o the Bear, CO Trail to Green Mtn., Meadow Mtn Loop

  
reviewed by pukalani13 on October 18, 2008

We did this trail on a nice fall day it was in the 70's the trail is a short climb up ..but what an awesome ride down ...catch air, single track technical in spots be careful..steep drops ..but it was soo fun cant wait to go back!!!!

Similar Trail: Falcon Trail on air force academy

  
reviewed by jberg04 on October 11, 2008

Overall a pretty sweet ride. Great scenery and lots of wildlife once you get back a few miles. The climb is about 7 miles or so, but it doesn't ever get too steep. Same with the descent, lots of up and down dips that are a lot of fun. I will say watch out for the loose ground on the downhill, I ate it pretty hard one time. The ride took me about 3hours to complete, but i stopped to watch a herd of elk for about 15-20 minutes, so you could easily make it in 2:45 or 2:30 if you don't stop to rest at all on the climb. From Denver, its almost a 45 minute drive to the parking lot, so this takes the majority of your afternoon/day...well worth it though. There are a number of interconnected trails you can hit, if you want to do the 14 mile loop, be sure to bring directions if you have never been before.

* Review edited 10/11/2008

  
reviewed by Bswim on September 28, 2008

Sick trail! My favorite front range ride.

  
reviewed by JPNuts on August 28, 2008

New parking area is up road 543. Ride went up 543, climbed Shinglehill thru old burn, great trail uses contours and plays with the climb. Down Morrison back to 543, climb some more 543 to Baldy which climbs on S facing slope, climbs thru burn into green forest, found patch of slick rock granite. Turned right on Miller's Gulch. Plan was to ride Charlie's but sign not visible readily and Miller's Gulch road has nice drop and fun get air water bars. The real price was Sandy Wash down to parking lot. I expected a wash like Moab but no, it was a flowing dropping sometimes twisty downhill. Way fun. Watch out for blind corners and suprises around them. Worth riding Sandy again. Turner Spot was way overkill, hardly a rock in the trails and just a few roots.

Similar Trail: First one of it's kind on my trip, Maybe Rim Trail at Snowmass

  
reviewed by glehmann on August 5, 2008

Nice trail and fairly easy climb. We did it on a 90+ degree day so that added some challenge last weekend. Good downhill for the climb.

Similar Trail: Bucks Gulch and Falcon Trail

  
reviewed by rider2000 on July 13, 2008

I am new to mountain biking in Colorado and have experienced some trails that I have not found enjoyable. When I first went out to Buffalo Creek, I was excited-it provided aerobic exercise and beautiful views. I don't enjoy really technical trails, so this was perfect for me. I've been back several times this year already. If you like to just ride your bike, get some exercise, and enjoy the amazing views that Colorado has to offer, this place is perfect for you.

  
reviewed by mspain9089 on July 12, 2008

Long and challenging uphill, which is rewarded with a speedy multi-disciplined downhill. Well worth making the effort to ride this trail.

* Review edited 7/12/2008

Similar Trail: Deer Creek

  
reviewed by Goo on June 25, 2008

Ride sandy wash trail down towards the road, like the description. It's a good ride, but not technical at all.

  
reviewed by jkovaly on November 22, 2007

This is definitely a must-ride trail ! I began at the Buffalo Creek work center parking lot and rode ~3mi uphill on 543 (mostly dirt road) and took a left up Shinglemill trail and rode it up the burn to the Colorado Trail. The grade was uphill but not too much. Took a right on the CT at the top and followed it through the forest on some great singletrack to the Buffalo Creek Campground. Followed 550 (the dirt road) .5mi past the Meadow Creek Campground and took the fork to the right. Then took a right on Gashouse trail and followed it straight for a few miles through some cool forest and rock formation scenery. Trail was excellent, not too hard and not too easy, a perfect mix of technical and aerobic. Took a right on Miller Gulch and followed it to Sandy Walsh where I took another right and followed it back down to 543. The Sandy Walsh trail was an incredible ride down hundreds of turns, I felt like I was on a roller coaster ride - great fun ! There were several areas where I had to be careful due to loose crushed rock (better than the sandy sections though). Total of 3hrs and 24mi, this was an incredible ride and I plan on coming back for more...

  
reviewed by edfron on November 7, 2007

#1 trail on www.singletracks.com, ok, but #1 trail in the country is a stretch. Plan on riding again and again for the scenery, Charlies Cutoff and the long down hill after. Trail was washed out in spots. Resulting in challenging crushed granite speed traps on both the climbs and descents.

  
reviewed by RPitts on September 23, 2007

The trail as reviewed is not bad but definately not the #1 trail in the country. If ridden as listed above you ride an old dirt road for nearly 4.8 miles from parking before the Baldy trailhead. The next 2+ miles up baldy are a dream ride for someone on a horse but the loose coarse sand is no fun to ride on a bike. Once on top the scenery is very nice with great views. Riding on the upper section is relatively flat with several rocks to ride on. There are several trails that branch off and you could spend hours riding them. Take a map. Once you come down Charlies Cutoff you need to make a right turn at the dead end to get home. The down hill is long and fun but again VERY sandy/loose so pay attention to the trail at all times. Corners are especially tricky in the coarse sand. The burnt trees made for an interesting environment that will make anyone a little more appreciative of the firemen that try to contain those fires and the need to take care of our forests. To break up the long boring road ride up, take Sandys Wash when you see it and it connects back with the boring road after a short ride. Sorry but I have to rate it an overall 8 due to the sand. This is definately a worthwhile ride but not a nice fast flowing singletrack for speed.

  
reviewed by erictw83 on September 16, 2007

AWESOME!! Best ride i've had yet. When a mountain biker dies and goes to heaven, he ends up in buffalo creek. It's a huge network of trails, I rode ~35 miles and didn't even reach the section of the Colorado trail that connects up to it. The scenery is breath taking between the mountains and the remnants of a forest fire. It's pretty weird looking, its great. And the trails themselves...from where i parked at Pine Valley Ranch their was a big (~1000 estimated) climb in, but it was totally doable as the track was smooth and gradients not overly steep. Once in, all the trails seem to be beautiful, fast, rolling single track. Minimal rocky sections but alot of fast cornering, and up's and downs. I highly recommend it, unless of course you love big nasty rocks every where.

Similar Trail: West magnolia, Switzerland, white ranch

  
reviewed by RideorDie on July 22, 2007

This is a great trail system! Nothing too technical, but definitely will appeal to all levels of riders. This has some of the best scenery around and is worth the trip from Colorado Springs. There is plenty of the trail system that is now green, or not even bothered by the 1996 fires. I felt that even the portions that were hit by the fire had a brilliant appeal and were fun to ride through. We saw plenty of riders, but it still wasn't crowded. (Only one hiker, and she moved out of our way despite right-of-way) This trail system was built for Mountain Bikes, and it really caters to the sport. I had a smile on my face all day. These trails are fast and fun! The climbs are gradual and smooth, and the pay offs are great! You can make your ride as long or as short as you wish with a ton of loop possibilities. Take a map. I recommend a topo because the park service map does not allow you to plan ascents and descents the way you may wish and can be a little confusing (although not too bad). This is also a great trail system to introduce someone to the sport.

  
reviewed by Jeepmb on December 18, 2006

This is a great ride! Not far from the front range, and sits sort of secluded, its great. As described, definitely ride this loop Clockwise. For where we camped, we tried riding it the other way. Not a good idea, you descend a moderate grade, then climb steep switchbacks for fricken ever and loathe all the guys going down the aswome downhill. Could not ask for a better area, but unfortunately sand was a big issue on the ride. The campground is really the only places to stay here. Dispersed camping is not found easily since buffalo creek closed, but if you are determined you can make something. Overall this trail gave me sweet speed, good downhills, and technical switchbacks for which i can proudly say i wiped out on.

* Review edited 11/30/2007

Similar Trail: Colorado Trail sections nearby

  
reviewed by rockclimbing on July 28, 2006

This trail was alright. It is very dry sandy and the scenery is not the best. The river is nice, but the chared trees did not do much for me.

  
reviewed by yellowdman on June 23, 2006

Like the review before me, this trail is an EPIC ride! I've rode this trail before the fire and it was so awesome and since they've opened it back up it's even sweeter! The best time to ride it is in the fall but anytime is always going to be an awesome one!

  
reviewed by scaryfast on June 10, 2006

This trail is the most epic trail you can ride outside Moab. Actually it is a trail system that intersects with the Colorado Trail. Usually I park at Pine Valley Open Space park and ride Buck Gulch. When you are almost at the top of Buck Gulch you can look to your left and see Long scraggy Peak. Three more turns later you will see a rock formation to your right. Hike out to the rock formation for some awesome views. There is a cross there for a guy who died mountian biking at Pine Valley last year. Turn on Skipper and ride til you cross the creek. Eventually come to what looks like a road hang a right and ride up the road to Charlies Cutoff. My friends painted lines on the rocks back in the early 90's but they have all worn off. Charlie's is a rippin singletrack over rocks and through the forest. Keep the rubber side down here. You will come to a T- intersection hang a right down Sandy Wash. Sandy Wash is a screamer. It is more rippin fast singletrack with water bars. You can catch huge air on these. You ride through meadows and then the forest at high speed. You will also ride through another burn area that looks like Lord of the Rings. The best part of Sandy Wash is the end. There are some crazy whoop dee doo's through the rocks. Again at high speed. Sandy Wash ends up at the fire road. Ride up the fire road to Baldy or Gashouse. Either trail will get you back to the top. Be sure you have a map if you are not familiar with this area. It is easy to get turned around. Gashouse is the easiest climb. There has been a major overhaul on Gashouse. At the top of gashouse you will be back on the fire road to Pine Valley. This is a warp tunnel fire road with some water bars. You will scream back to where you left Skipper trail. Catch big air on the last water bar. Continue down Strawberry Jack. This trail was the most beautiful singletrack in the world before the fire. Only the people who haven ridden it will understand. Strawberry Jack is now almost a fire road. Be careful here because there can be a lot of snags. Still it is awesome scenery. You will climb a small hill at the end of Strawberry Jack. This is what I call the Grand Finale. There are huge water bars and you get going really fast. Be safe here and watch for riders coming up. You will join up with Buck Gulch again and ride back to Pine Valley. Again be sure you print out the forest service map. Make a copy so you can give it to someone you meet on the trail if they are lost. Have fun.

Similar Trail: Colorado Trail/Green Mountain

  
reviewed by lukewiens on April 9, 2006

wow....awesome trail, the badly trail section was bad arse. fast tight singletrack, no rocks. when you aren't flying down the hill you are climbing, usually double track...kinda sandy. some of the turns are kind of loose with sand, but overall a good trail. not too technical, but fast and fun.

Similar Trail: parmalee trail at mount falcon

  
reviewed by Troy on October 9, 2005

Awesome trail with great scenery and a little bit of everything for all skill levels. A little bit of technical in a couple spots, but not too much. Otherwise it's all just great singletrack, with some of the best downhill I've done.

  
reviewed by petersbike on September 10, 2005

This is some wonderful singletrack. The climbs are nice and do not smack you like the front range climbs. A good loop is to start at the forest service work house and hop onto FR 550. ride down there and pass through a gate and take the Gashouse gulch trail for a nice mellow uphill. Go to the top and take a right on miller gulch road. Shortly thereafter hook a left on homestead. Then take a right on Charlies cutoff and enjoy the ride over sweet rock. You will pop out at a T intersection, go right and take the Sandy Wash trail , nice downhill cross a creek and continue short section of uphill and then it is all downhill on nice beautiful twisty singletrack, to FR 550. Many other trails to enjoy there.

Similar Trail: bent creek

  
reviewed by ameyer on September 5, 2005

Awesome!! Rode from Buffalo Creek, up Sandy Wash to Miller Gulch, down Baldy, up Morrison Creek and down Shingle Mill. Caught the lower part of Sandy Wash back to Buffalo Creek. These trails are hard tail heaven, leave the double boinger at home and roast the uphill too.

  
reviewed by trek7k on May 18, 2005

I just read that the Buffalo Creek Trails are IMBA designated Epic trails. I was always a big fan but surprised by the lack of riders out on the trails. I guess since these trails are a bit out of the way they don't get too crowded. Be sure to ride all the trails in the area: Colorado Trail/Green Mountain, Colorado Trail/Morrison Creek, Buck Gulch, and Redskin Mountain. Woo hoo!

Similar Trail: All of the above.

  
reviewed by sdelano26 on November 30, 2004

A great place to ride! Throw in the Colorado Trail and you have a place to ride all day and rarely hit the same the trail twice. Look forward to lung bursting uphills and fun speedy downhills without too much technical difficulty. Watch the summer thunder storms though, as they are quite frequent in this area. Enjoy

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