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Lovell Gulch Mountain Bike Trail
Woodland Park, Colorado
MTB TRAIL STATS
Avg Rating:   |
6 trail reviews |
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Status: updated 7/27/08 by Co_Randy |
Difficulty:  Intermediate |
| Length: 5 miles | Global Rank: 517 |
| Tread: Singletrack | Configuration: Loop |
| Ridden: 23 | Wishlist: 26 |
| Avg. Speed: 4.97 mph | Avg. Time: 2hr 56min |
| Elevation Gain/Loss: +330/-315 ft |
Directions:
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Description: Loop is relatively short, but you will spend the majority of your time climbing steadily from 8500 ft to just over 9200 ft. The trail is very well marked, when you get to the sign where the loop starts (< 1 mile in), keep right to avoid some super steep uphill. The trail is mostly singletrack (not too technical with the exception of some rooty parts) until you get to the top. Here, take a left at the gate where the trail changes to doubletrack. Be prepared for some screaming downhill that can be rocky or have loose gravel in sections. Before you know it, you'll be crossing the creek and back where the loop started. Be sure to stop and smell the wildflowers along the way!
You can also go camping nearby at Meadow Ridge.
Description: Loop is relatively short, but you will spend the majority of your time climbing steadily from 8500 ft to just over 9200 ft. The trail is very well marked, when you get to the sign where the loop starts (< 1 mile in), keep right to avoid some super steep uphill. The trail is mostly singletrack (not too technical with the exception of some rooty parts) until you get to the top. Here, take a left at the gate where the trail changes to doubletrack. Be prepared for some screaming downhill that can be rocky or have loose gravel in sections. Before you know it, you'll be crossing the creek and back where the loop started. Be sure to stop and smell the wildflowers along the way!
You can also go camping nearby at Meadow Ridge.
added in 2003 by 
SIMILAR TRAILS
Riders who liked this mountain bike trail also liked:Colorado Trail / Kenosha To Breckenridge in Breckenridge
Kessel Run in Fruita
Barr Trail (pikes Peak) in Manitou Springs
Buffalo Creek in Pine
NEARBY TRAILS
- Rampart Reservoir in Woodland Park (3.1 miles away)
- Schubarth To Stanley Reservoir in Woodland Park (3.2 miles away)
- North Catamount Reservoir in Woodland Park (6.6 miles away)
- Falcon Trail in Colorado Springs (9.4 miles away)
- Blodgett in Colorado Springs (9.6 miles away)
TRAIL REVIEWS review this trail
reviewed by OLDCOOT52 on February 5, 2009
The Aspen groves are awesome. A few tricky spots for beginners, but overall very modest technically. I will definitely ride counterclockwise again. You get a nice reward at the top for your efforts (views), then some great downhill stretches and easy cycling to finish.
Similar Trail: I haven't done that many
reviewed by cjkettler on July 15, 2008
One of the best parts about Lovell Gulch is the various routes you can take that eventually leads you back to where you started. White Gulch, Old car Trail, and others are all connected and if you have time and energy to explore those "forks" at Lovell, I recommend you do it. There is actually a trail that can get you all the way to Manitou Lake (9 miles) north of Woodland Park.
Similar Trail: North Catamount Reservoir, Elder Fehn Trail, Rampart Reservoir
reviewed by skibum on October 10, 2007
I might frequent this trail IF I lived in Woodland Park. If you're driving from anywhere else, you can probably find something more entertaining closer to home. The loop is short, the surface is the worst of the Pikes Peak gravel you'll ever want to find, and the scenery is less impressive than other rides in the area. It's a fine trail, but nothing special compared to other nearby options.
Similar Trail: Rampart Reservoir Waldo Canyon
reviewed by shane_anthony77 on June 18, 2007
Really great ride. There was some really sweet downhill on this trail. The uphill is constant for about two or so miles, but it is worth it for the downhill. There is some doubletrack on this trail, but the way that it is set up it rides like singletrack.
reviewed by RideorDie on June 10, 2007
I rode this trail today and really enjoyed it. I rode it counterclockwise and plan on doing the opposite direction next time for variety. The uphill was steady and nothing too gnarly, although it has a couple of short technical sections with roots that keep you honest. It passes through some great Aspen and boulder fields that make for great scenery. Once you hit the top there is some super fun DH with little mini jumps you can take at high speeds; watch out for fallen trees ahead because getting impaled sux. Just past the 3.5 mile mark there is a view that is truly spectacular and is worth a pause (it's after a steep climb anyway). The double track on this trail is also nice, as it does NOT feel like a road and gives you space to go around hikers and dog walkers. You can expect to see hikers at the bottom of the trail, so heads up!
reviewed by trek7k on May 15, 2004
I decided to check this trail out on my way back from Buffalo Creek today and I knew it was a quick 5 mile loop. I didn't have my trusty guidebook with me but I figured it wouldn't be too hard. Apparently I did the loop in the reverse direction and I was really hating the climb. There were a couple of hills I had to push on and when I reached the top I was relieved that I could at least just scream down Rampart Range Road back to the car if I had to. Imagine my surprise to find the awesome singletrack back down the hill! I really think the trail is best ridden clockwise even if you do have to push. The downhill on the narrow singletrack is really awesome compared to the doubletrack climb. Definitely check it out for a quick run!
Similar Trail: Palmer Trail (though Lovell Gulch climbs much more steeply)
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