MTB TRAIL STATS

Avg Rating:	17 trail reviews
Status: Open updated 7/20/09 by jbersch Closed Open Wet / Sketchy	Difficulty: Expert
Length: 8 miles	Global Rank: 391
Tread: Other	Configuration: Network
Ridden: 169	Wishlist: 53
Avg. Speed: 5.24 mph	Avg. Time: 1hr 38min

 

Vail Mountain in Vail

 

Colorado Trail / Green Mountain in Deckers

 

Zippety Do Dah in Fruita

 

Colorado Trail: Searle Pass in Copper

 

  
reviewed by John_Goodrich on August 23, 2009

Where do I start? Well, you start with a nice long technical climb past the "Wall of Shame" and if you are one of the few, proud, bicyclists who pass this then continue climbing to a smoother and more relaxing ride in the beautiful foothills of Colorado....

  
reviewed by BFD on August 16, 2009

Kicked My Butt. The climb isn't just steep; it's super rocky - making for some really challenging line-picking. What a gut-buster! I didn't end up riding the Red Mesa Loop at the top (read: p***ed out!) but I did have fun on the Plymouth Mtn. Loop, some fun rolling single track and amazing views of the everything east of the Front Range. The descent is (surprise) as rocky as the ascent, my hands got tired/cramped from the jarring smack-down the trail was dishing out. All fun though. I would have given the trail a 5 but there were TONS of hikers and a few tried to tell me (incorrectly) that bikes weren't allowed on the trail I was on. (Be aware, there are a few sections of this trail system that are Hiker Only, however these are clearly marked.)

Similar Trail: White Ranch, Apex Park

  
reviewed by samuel_sprague on August 7, 2009

Climb up to the wall is not really what most call fun. Very steep in sections and loose all over. After the "wall" trail is stable and good for the rest of the ride. Red mesa is rolling and fast, just make sure to ride clockwise. Descent is fun, but over too fast. After work ride for sure.

  
reviewed by flip8u on June 30, 2009

I don't really like the initial climb up, I prefer climbs that I don't have to get off the bike. I also prefer longer downhills so you don't blow your hard work so fast. But the upper loops are solid.

  
reviewed by barrycroker on October 16, 2008

A most excellent ride very close to Denver. There are some very challenging climbs and rough sections on the lower portion, but also some very fast rolling climbs up high. The lower portions did seem to have a lot of traffic at times, and you have to be careful on the blind corners for hikers. If you are not confident with technical riding, the first few miles will be very challenging. If you persevere, you will be rewarded with the upper section that is much less technical and more rolling. As for "the wall", I wouldn't call it totally unridable. If the weather has been dry there is a tough line up (it's a grunt), but coming down is not too hard for most experienced riders. Definatly a good ride for the soft-tail. I would recommend riding up around Plymouth Mtn CLOCKWISE, then over to Red Mesa and down for about 1.5 hours at a good clip. Definatly a favorite on the front range.

Similar Trail: White Ranch

  
reviewed by osutammy7 on August 16, 2008

WOW this trail is a lung buster to get up (I had to walk my bike for half of the climb). The trail at the top is a fun and fast loop and coming down is worth the treck up. There is an awesome rock section to test out your technical ability, but there are stairs along the side in case it's too tough (I didn't see anyone conquer it while I was there!)

Similar Trail: Dakota Ridge

  
reviewed by mspain9089 on July 15, 2008

Be sure you are prepared for a multi-disciplined and grueling uphill, and a rugged, expert-level, downhill. If weather gets nasty, which is what happened to me, you will appreciate the extra $$ you spent on your ride. An off-the-shelf hard-tail just won't do it. You should get a T-shirt if you survive this one.

  
reviewed by skibum on May 30, 2008

This is a great trail network close to the city. It has two distinct personalities. The first is the absolutely brutal climb, which includes the infamous "Wall of Shame," a steep rock garden that will shame just about everyone. Once on top, however, there's some great cruising through the trees with occasional million-mile views over the plains. If you're a strong aerobic and techncial rider, you'll love the climb. If not, fight your way through anyway as the top will be a good ride. Beware, this network is very popular, especially on weekends. Head up the Plymouth Creek Trail, do a lap on the red Mesa Trail and, if you've still got the legs, hit the Plymouth Mountain Trail on the way back down.

Similar Trail: Dakota Ridge

  
reviewed by BobinConifer on May 13, 2007

Nice after work ride for C-470 commuters. The first couple of hundred yards can be pretty crowded and there are a few bottlenecks where I've run into large groups of walkers. I definitely like the "wall" before the stairs but it's still fun. Maybe a little easier now since there aren't as many options. I didn't realize this obstacle was worthy of a nickname but it makes sense. I seem to remember making it up once many years ago but everytime I've tried in the last several years I haven't come close. Maybe next time...

Similar Trail: Mt. Falcon

  
reviewed by BarDev on April 22, 2007

The trail is a up hill challenge, definitely for a early spring ride. An above average rider should be able to ride 95% of the trail. I have only seen one person ride up the wall, 100 yards or step rock with a high water bar to start it out. I have seen some people go down the wall, but most walk there bike down this section. All but this section is doable for the average rider. The first half of the ride is a tough climb with technically challenging areas. The second half includes two loops which are doable by most riders. There are very few technical sections above the wall. I recommend doing the Plymouth Creek loop counter clock wise. If you do this loop counter clockwise all the switchbacks and narrow single track will be downhill. There is a fairly .5 mile steep climb at the start of the loop, which is not technical at all, but after the climb there is some great down hill, narrow single track with a few short climbs. I believe Red Mesa loop is better done clockwise. I donít have a very good reason for this, but it seems that you can cost more going this direction. I believe this is one of the better technical accents near the Denver area. Itís on par with Mt. Falcon. This last time I rode the trail it took me 25 minutes to make it to the wall. To do the complete trail round trip with the Plymouth loop took me about 1:15 minutes. Location on Maps.Live.com

* Review edited 4/22/2007

Similar Trail: Mt Falcon

  
reviewed by Lancefan on December 1, 2006

This trail has some great climbs and in return some great down hills. Try to do all the mountain bike legal cutoffs. That makes for an even better trail.

  
reviewed by yellowdman on June 23, 2006

I've been riding this trail since it first opened! It's an Awesome trail! I will say it's a killer at the start but once you get beyond the hard rock wall climb your golden as it get's easier from there. This rock wall is not for beginners! For me it's not extreme but for most people out there it is! be very careful! I know guys who think they're bad ass but when they see the wall they get off and walk down, it's not bad but you can't be scared. If you have any doubts get off and walk down. Going up it is another story. I use to go up it with no problem but the wall has changed over the years and it's well it's a pain now and I've so far only made it up 3/4's of the way to the start of the stairs and I'm just having a hard time getting any further but the day is comming! :) Over all this trail is pretty hard but if you don't mind getting your b*** kicked at the start (the wall) you'll have an easier time doing the loops up top like red mesa. Have lot's of fun and be careful!!!

Similar Trail: Bergen Peak because it's technical

  
reviewed by jbersch on May 22, 2006

Very nice combination of single/double track here. Two main loop are available once you climb the monsterous, rocky first section. Plymouth Creek and Red Mesa are both pretty much in the shade most of the time, rocky & sandy for the most part. I rode straight up to Red Mesa Loop and went counter-clockwise (clockwise probably would have been a funner decent), then I went all the way back down and checked out some of the easy S. Valley Park trails among the very cool red stone formations. I believe the total elevation gain is over 2000 feet, so yeah.. prepare to climb. Lots of hikers down low, very few the higher you go. Plymouth Mtn. is also a great loop. Awesome, rocky singletrack. More directions: 470 to S. Kipling Pkwy (Go south about .1 miles). Right turn on W. Ute Ave, go about .5 miles. Bear right on Deer Creek Canyon road, go west approx. 3 miles. Left turn onto Grizzly Drive, parking lot on the right after a few turns.

* Review edited 9/19/2007

Similar Trail: Apex, Chimney Gulch

  
reviewed by MarkZahn on November 11, 2005

I don't get it. The rock section that they added stairs too is extremely technical, it easily ranks the top of technical according to Decline Magazine, they rated a trail less technical than DCC as a "double black diamond". I went to DCC 9 times over the summer, and not once did I see anyone go down or up the rock section with the stairs. It's exhillerating, I rode this section 6 out of 9 times going, and I fell 3 times. I eventually got the hang of it and now it's a feeling of excitement I can't even explain. The one guy said 1 in 500 bikers are able, that might be but he should try it, he'd be surprised how able he might be. I rate this entire park & series of trails a 9, I've done Apex, Falcon, Green Mountain, Enchanted Forest. I'm in dismay why people don't rate the difficulty of this rock section as extreme.

Similar Trail: I haven't done Dakota Ridge yet, but I'm finding it hard to believe that Dakota has a section like DCC. Apex is the closest to DCC in difficulty out of the trails I listed that I've done.

  
reviewed by c3667 on September 27, 2005

This trail was a ton of fun . You get a false sense of ease for the first mile or so. after that you get to climb your behind off. This is one of the only trails I have had to use my granny ring in a while. The rock sections are pretty cool and fun to try to manuver around. There is a LOT of hiking traffic so watch out for bipeds.

  
reviewed by mtberman on January 16, 2005

This place is crowded at the bottom sometimes so beware and be patient. I agree that the lower part can be a challenge, with tough sections, steep ascents, other users, and varying trail conditions depending on the weather. There's often still patches of snow at the top in early June. Plymouth clockwise followed by Red Mesa clockwise is my preference for the most fun. I don't think I've ever had a bad ride here. Be prepared because the whole park is pretty big, and it's almost 100% ride-able without a lot of walking and portage. Take your time, and the reward is some fun stuff once you're away from the hikers. Most of them are finally clued in and are staying on the "hiker only" trails, so it's gotten easier to relax & just ride on this great trail.

  
reviewed by trek7k on pre 2003

Yeah, the first 1.5 miles are pretty steep. You'll be pushing your bike a good bit. Once you get past the steep stuff, there are two loops you can ride. I recommend staying on the Plymouth Creek Trail until you get up to the Red Rock Mesa Loop. Ride this loop counter clockwise. Come back down Plymouth Creek trail but turn back up Plymouth Mountain Trail. This trail is well worth the climb because it has a good bit of singletrack, switchbacks, jumps, pretty much everything. Not too many hikers once you get up to these two loops. Combined you can get a little over 8 miles in.

Similar Trail: Mt. Herman trail in Monument.

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