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Chimney Gulch Mountain Bike Trail
Golden, Colorado
MTB TRAIL STATS
Avg Rating:    |
14 trail reviews |
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Status: updated 8/26/07 by raleighman91 |
Difficulty:  Advanced |
| Length: 10 miles | Global Rank: 818 |
| Tread: Singletrack | Configuration: Out & Back |
| Ridden: 132 | Wishlist: 49 |
| Avg. Speed: 4.87 mph | Avg. Time: 1hr 30min |
Directions:
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Description: The first mile of this trail is the hardest. There are steep, pea-gravel switchbacks that will probably force all but the best riders off their rigs. This is mostly over when you cross the road the first time. The trail then becomes a relatively nice climb up the canyon (similar in feel to Apex Park next door). After another mile and a half, you will cross the road again, but just continue across and keep heading uphill. This next section is very pleasant and is under the cover of trees for those hot days. It is all fairly steep though, so dig deep to push on to the summit which is about a mile past the road. When you hit the picnic table you can look around and take some pictures as you will have a great view all around you. However, before you go back down...ride uphill onto the pavement and look for a small trail that is on the other side of the road and heads off between the road and a large fence. I recommend jumping on that singletrack and following it for a mile or so as it is fast, fairly level, and great fun. When you reach the end you will be at an intersection with Lookout Mtn Rd again, and this is where you can catch the descent into Apex park and loop at the bottom back to the Chimney Gulch parking lot. However, for this description, we turned around here and did our trail in reverse, making for a long, fast descent back to the car.
If you are feeling a bit lazy, you can catch Lookout Mtn Rd and blaze down the pavement to save time!
Description: The first mile of this trail is the hardest. There are steep, pea-gravel switchbacks that will probably force all but the best riders off their rigs. This is mostly over when you cross the road the first time. The trail then becomes a relatively nice climb up the canyon (similar in feel to Apex Park next door). After another mile and a half, you will cross the road again, but just continue across and keep heading uphill. This next section is very pleasant and is under the cover of trees for those hot days. It is all fairly steep though, so dig deep to push on to the summit which is about a mile past the road. When you hit the picnic table you can look around and take some pictures as you will have a great view all around you. However, before you go back down...ride uphill onto the pavement and look for a small trail that is on the other side of the road and heads off between the road and a large fence. I recommend jumping on that singletrack and following it for a mile or so as it is fast, fairly level, and great fun. When you reach the end you will be at an intersection with Lookout Mtn Rd again, and this is where you can catch the descent into Apex park and loop at the bottom back to the Chimney Gulch parking lot. However, for this description, we turned around here and did our trail in reverse, making for a long, fast descent back to the car.
If you are feeling a bit lazy, you can catch Lookout Mtn Rd and blaze down the pavement to save time!
added on August 19, 2004 by 
SIMILAR TRAILS
Riders who liked this mountain bike trail also liked:Indian Creek Loop in Denver
Keystone Resort in Dillon
3 Sisters / Alderfer in Evergreen
Bergen Peak in Evergreen
NEARBY TRAILS
- Apex Park in Golden (2.3 miles away)
- Matthews Winters in Morrison (3.7 miles away)
- Red Rocks/ Dakota Ridge in Denver (3.7 miles away)
- Green Mountain in Denver (3.9 miles away)
- White Ranch in Golden (4 miles away)
TRAIL REVIEWS review this trail
reviewed by Rock_Jock on September 27, 2009
Steep and rocky; a great training spot and motivator. I'm determined to get better, and am clearing more obstacles each time. Nice views of Golden for when I'm catching my breath.
reviewed by kuala_tahan on September 16, 2009
Pretty huge climb, steep switchbacks at the beginning, then you just keep climbing and climbing until you hit the top. The descent should be incredible, but it's a super crowded trail (even on a Tuesday after work), so you can't pin it back and let fly, you need to be real cautious coming around corners and such. Which sucks, because it's nice singletrack. The climbing should be worth it for the descent, but because you can't scream down it, makes this a pretty average trail.
Similar Trail: White Ranch
reviewed by propwash on June 13, 2009
This was a sweet ride, cant wait to go back. I rode up chimney gulch and down apex.
* Review edited 6/13/2009
Similar Trail: mount falcon
reviewed by erchlt on August 26, 2008
this trail was amazing like everyone said it was up until about 4 weeks ago now they have "cleaned" it up and taken out most of the rocks and difficult sections, they also WILL ticket you now for speeding and failing to yield even if the trail is 10 feet wide and a very safe pass is possible. I had loved this trail but now i skip it i am very diappointed :(
Similar Trail: apex, enchanted forest
reviewed by raleighman91 on August 26, 2007
PRettty sweet trail i really enjoyed it i cut out the first mile tho
Similar Trail: lookout mountain
reviewed by lubes17319 on June 29, 2007
Nice! Just moved out west & hit this for the 1st time. Up, up & away it goes, my out-of-shape body & 32x18 gear made for a bit of hike-a-bike to the top, but well worth it! 20mins from Capitol Hill, so this will be an early morning weekday regular for me to get back into shape.
reviewed by Lancefan on December 1, 2006
The climb on this trail is great. My favorite section was right after the Windy Saddle. For a different return route continue on the single along the road after the nature trail until you meet back up with Look Out Mountain Road. Then take a right onto a single track trail between 2 houses. The descent is amazing. I also suggest that on the way down you take the Enchanted Forest Trail
reviewed by hugocorn on August 15, 2006
Wow...what a climb. A really great trail, but no joke, be ready to climb, climb, climb. There is really very little relief until you get all the way to the top. It is true that the first mile or so is the worst, but when you get past that, it isnt exactly smooth sailing. I consider myself an average rider and it took me a solid hour and fifteen minutes to get to the top (if you start all the way at the bottom.) The other option (if you arent in the mood for a huge climb) is to turn off of 6th avenue onto 19th street and follow 19th street up until it turns into lookout mountain road and then you'll eventually see a couple parking lots that are right off of lookout mountain road that will start you higher up on the trail, (essentially you can skip half the climb, but you only get half the down time too.)
Similar Trail: Apex
reviewed by c3667 on October 18, 2005
This is a great training trail ! the first mile is a b#@#$ bit after that it is really fun. I especially like the tree sections after the second lookout mountain rd crossing.
Similar Trail: Apex , Mt falcon
reviewed by jbersch on October 18, 2005
A very fun trail. Pretty much an insane climb up from the very beginning and then a monster downhill. Great views of Golden on the way up and spectacular views of the western mountains await you at the top (especially if you ride along Lookout Mtn. Trail) to the top of Apex. I went Monday late afternoon and it was fairly crowded but not a problem. A bit more fun than the climb at Apex. Longer too, minus all the logs. I rode up Chimney and went down Apex. Great ride.
Similar Trail: Apex
reviewed by HACBIKES on July 27, 2005
Fun trail but has a lot of traffic. When we rode the downhill I passed/stopped about 10 to 15 times because of all the traffic. Chimney's climb is a very big challenge with a lot of switchbacks and a bunch of rocks but is yet a very fun climb. The downhill is fun but could be more fun without all the traffic. Overall I would recomend you do this ride at least once.
Similar Trail: Foutainhead, VA
reviewed by JJonas on May 31, 2005
Since this trail gets so much traffic, I've found that starting pre-dawn usually avoids the crowds and the heat. The last time I did this ride, I added a couple of loops through Apex before returning the way I came for a total vertical of ~4,000 ft.
Similar Trail: Apex, White Ranch
reviewed by Pain_Is_Relative on October 28, 2004
This is now one of my favorite trails on the Front Range. It is technically and aerobically challenging. The best part about the trail is that it is a good measuring stick regarding my overall training level. The uphill section will take a good rider about 50 minutes to reach the top and then you have the choice of going back down or you can take further trails South West. This ride is a weekenderís must do. Be careful, the trail is a hot spot for week warriors, bikers and hikers alike.
Similar Trail: Walker Ranch
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