MTB TRAIL STATS

Avg Rating:	17 trail reviews
Status: Open updated 3/25/09 by RideorDie Closed Open Wet / Sketchy	Difficulty: Intermediate
Length: 9 miles	Global Rank: 450
Tread: Singletrack	Configuration: Loop
Ridden: 64	Wishlist: 40
Avg. Speed: 6.63 mph	Avg. Time: 1hr 32min

 

Trail 401 in Crested Butte

 

Buffalo Creek in Pine

 

Rampart Reservoir in Woodland Park

 

Deer Creek Canyon in Littleton

 

  
reviewed by propwash on November 27, 2009

My new favorite spot. Trails that go around every where, planty to choose from. Kinda like buffalo creek area.

Similar Trail: buffalo creek, spruce mountain

  
reviewed by CanadianBike on June 7, 2009

We left early and it worked out well. Hit Mounment a little after 8am. The Mountain Bike shop in Monument is going out of business:( We hit the trail before 9, just wandered around and I bet it's true there could be 26 miles of trails. There is/was a mining camp ghost town area in the middle. They have a dirt loading dock that would make a great spot to catch air. Over all it's my favorite new trail.

  
reviewed by RideorDie on March 25, 2009

We rode this trail from the top of Mount Herman Road and the 715 trail intersect all the way down. Some also call this "Monument Trail". It was a ton of fun. Lots of very tight single track, plenty of obstacles to challenge even the most seasoned riders, and plenty of options at the bottom near the trailhead described here on singletracks. Right now at the top of the trail there is still some snow cover, but nothing that would prevent a great ride. I chose the description of this trail based on the top, not the bottom. Below Monument rock it didn't seem too technical, but everything above it was pretty rough; in fact I had a boulder grab my rear derailer in a turn and relieve my hanger of it's duty. This is a great trail that is worth the trip up from the Springs to make. If you ride up the road to the 715 trail, it's 3.8-4.5 miles up, depending on the route taken to the road, and then another 4 or 4.5 down. Trail 715 is clearly marked at the top - head DOWN! This would NOT be a fun trail for beginners to try from the top, but there may be some stuff at the bottom to play on. It is an EXCELLENT trail for seasoned area riders looking for a more challenging trail than the typical C. Canyon trail.

* Review edited 3/25/2009

Similar Trail: Elk Park Trail

  
reviewed by cgbock on June 24, 2008

This is an awesome after-work or even weekend ride. The great thing about this place is you can get lost and have a great time doing it. You can see the highway in the distance from the tops, so you are never really lost. The small trails that off-shoot from the fire road are excellent with rock obstacles and tight bush areas. You won't work yourself too hard unless you take the trail that goes all the way to the top of the mesa. If you are going with new riders or just to take a quick ride with some friends and goof around this is perfect. Don't forget to visit the mexican restaurant in Monument after for awesome Margaritas.

Similar Trail: Hidden Mesa in Franktown

  
reviewed by tpak on May 26, 2008

As per other reviews, great trail but: The only legal way out of the canyon is to head north at the trail intersection 2/3 of the way down the canyon and head down through the palmer lake resevoirs. Yes, this is a grunt but that is how you have to do it. The private property has been private since the 50's. The local trail group is close to securing access but this has been a multi year process. They are close so please stay out of the private property. Check www.fomp.org for updates. If you need a map or directions please see Tim at Balanced Rock Bike and Ski - they are linked above and are on 2nd St. in Monument.

* Review edited 5/26/2008

  
reviewed by skibum on October 12, 2007

There is a lot of singletrack here. You either have to hook up with a local or be prepared to do some exploring. There is some highly technical singletrack that parallels the Mt Herman road if you don't want to ride the road up. It's rocky, fun, and beats the heck out of eating car dust. The backside ihas a very remote feeling and you forget you were just in the city a few short minutes ago. Getting out is a booger, though, with private land cutoffs. I have yet to find a way that doesn't require a few miles of pavement through new residential areas.

Similar Trail: Waldo Canyon Buckhorn/Captain Jack's/The Chutes Palmer Trail/Section 16

  
reviewed by hippiedeb on July 22, 2007

WOW! Best trail I have ridden yet. There is everything here: singletrack (and quite a bit of it), big climbs, sweeet downhill, technical stuff (thick roots, twisty trails, loose, big rocks) and awesome scenery.

* Review edited 7/22/2007

Similar Trail: Fox Run + Red Rocks Canyon = Mount Herman

  
reviewed by Bikeguy90 on June 11, 2007

Wonderful place for beginners to experts. About 26 miles of trail ranging form flat and smooth to technical downhill. Definitly the best place I've ridden.

  
reviewed by john.bullock on June 8, 2007

It has been a couple of years since I did this but my research and books I have indicate this is also called the Raspberry Chautauque Mountain Trail or the Limbaugh Canyon trail. The route I read about was not clear and included going through gates and private property. The trail iteself was fun and a good work out. It was the before and after park that wasn't that great. The area is incredibly beautiful and the riding fun.

  
reviewed by nadinno78 on November 23, 2006

Love the trail. But unfortunatly have to agree w/ mtberbman that the trail has degraded over the years. Used to ride this in high school. Went away for a while and now 10 years later I got to ride it again. The downhil sections when you first enter limbaugh canyon are heavily washed out. Takes some very skillfull riding to get down it. Once you get into the canyon and it flattens out into one of the most beatifull trails you will ever ride. Got to ride it after the area got two solid weeks of rain and man was that place alive. The wildflowers were everywhere. Its a good idea to bring a friend on this one too. The canyon is very untouched and you get one of those miles from no where vibes, even though civilization is only a short ride away. As far as getting out of the canyone the only legal way I know of is to head north at the trial intersection 2/3 of the way down the canyon and head down through the palmer lake resevoirs. If you've got the time and water head straight at the intersection and check out the views when the trail emerges from the canyon. When you get to the overlook enjoyt he view then double back and head north at the intersection. Also watch out for the notorius afternoon showers, especially in august.

  
reviewed by RidelikeUstoleit on June 30, 2006

Check with the Owner of Balanced Rock Bike shop in Monument for current landowner issues. Current bypass around Limbaugh Canyon is to turn left about 2/3 the way down the singletrack. Head up the loose wash to the top jeep road up top, then head down to Palmer Lake. For a quick afterwork fix, ride the "Stoopids" trail. See Balanced Rock Bike shop for a map. Trail is pretty rough, but doubt you will see any chuggers. You will give a blood donation even if you clean everything. Scrub oak and baby heads will work your techno skills. One can drop in short, or ride the full trail with stream crossings and hike-a-bike section.

Similar Trail: Palmer Park

  
reviewed by Ratchet_Jack on September 26, 2005

I rode this on a Sunday afternoon on 9.25.05. It brings out both the best and worst that nature and man have to offer. Parked in the Mt. Herman trailhead parking. Just to the right of the information kiosk is a nice little singletrack that is a good warm-up for the road. I did take the road up about 4 miles passed 716 to trail 715. The road had lots of vehicle travel and lots of dust. I found it challenging and a great cardio run. Great views. The worst in man was lots of trash on the road and tons of broken glass at the trailhead. Once you climb and get away from the civilization of beer drinking remnants and litterbugs, this ride is beautiful. Trek7ís pictures are right on. Beautiful aspen valley, pines, climbs, technical rock outcroppings, roots, long downhills, creek crossings with water to splash through. Prior to the final descent, overlook of Palmer Lake is breathtaking. I too got crossed-up at the fencing at the end. Everyone has grabbed their section of land and is not about to share. I think I can understand. Like Trek7, I was not about to retrace my steps, but everywhere you turn you are fenced in. I did go left at the end of the singletrack, around the silver fence, left on that road and down about a º mile to a green fence. This is the start of the trail for hikers. Lookdown to your right and go down into a parking lot. Again, like Trek7, I got lost in the neighborhood, but the way back to your car is Red Rocks Ranch Dr to right on Spruce Rd to right on Sandstone Dr to left onto Red Rocks Dr. Bikers and hikers friendly - vehicles not so. Yet, a must do.

  
reviewed by telemarkdude on August 6, 2005

This is a great place to go for a quick after work ride. There are several singletrack trails that weave down in the foothills beneath Mt Herman. Now for those doing the loop: there is an alternate and a bit longer finish that bypa** the closed off private section. After you've come around the back side (West) of Mount Herman and then skirt around Rasberry Mountain, you will hit a T-intersection. The traditional finish, cutting through private property, is to the right. Instead take a left there. The trail will soon climb steeply up and take you to a junction with Balanced Rock trail (a 4WD jeep road). Take a right here which immediately takes you to a saddle with a nice downhill on the other side. At the bottom, go through the gate and ride around the reservoir. From the dam, it's a little more than a mile of downhill to the bottom. You'll pass another small reservoir about halfway down. From the bottom, work your way south through the rural residential area to get back to Red Rocks Ranch and then the Mt Herman Road. Awesome rides and plenty of exploration back there behind Mt. Herman Note: A left at the Balanced Rock intersection which I described earlier will take you to Rampart Range Road. Also, that whole area going in the reverse direction, up past the reservoirs, has fantastic backcountry skiing in the Winter when you can't ride!

  
reviewed by mtberman on January 16, 2005

This network is not maintained and has degraded a lot in the last couple years. Getting to the top can be a lot of walking, unless you skip the singletrack & ride the road up. But who wants to ride on a dirt road? The loop down & thru the canyon is awesome but may not be worth the hassle of getting to the top. Nothing's marked so go with a buddy the first couple times. At the end where the property owner fenced it off, go right and head to the water tower. There's a new trail behind the tower bypass the private area which is now closed. Once in the residential area head south and when you hit dirt again it's pretty easy to get back. Or ask another rider, most of whom are super friendly on this trail.

  
reviewed by trek7k on June 2, 2004

Well, I went back to do the 715 loop and was upset to find that a fence has been erected at the bottom of the singletrack. We tried to go around to avoid the no trespassing signs but couldn't find how we were supposed to get back to the trailhead (and we weren't about to climb back up and around on the trail). I think there may be a legal way to complete the loop, possibly by taking the left fork near the end of the singletrack. If anyone knows how to do this now please let me know.

Similar Trail: Rampart

  
reviewed by trek7k on May 18, 2004

Okay, I finally made the loop around Mt. Herman on the 715 trail. What a rad singletrack! The downhills are a bit intense at times but the scenery is great back there. I didn't see anyone out there today, it was really quiet. The return is a bit tricky, I got lost in the neighborhood off Red Rocks Road. Lots of short technical sections to keep you on your toes.

Similar Trail: Rampart Reservoir loop, Captain Jack's

  
reviewed by trek7k on pre 2003

Yeah, this place is rad. The first couple of miles is singletrack and is generally pretty fun. The terrain is rolling and covered with trees for the most part. Next I like to hop on the gravel road and head up to the left. I usually go up to the 715 trail and either head back down the road or check out some trails up there. It is possible to jump on 715 and make a loop back down the other side of Mt Herman but I haven't tried it yet. Get out a map and start exploring!

Similar Trail: Hmmm... I guess it is similar to some trails in Georgia (like Bull Mtn, Tsali) but locally I would compare it to Rampart Reservoir (the first part) and Capt. Jack's (the climb). Overall it is similar to Deer Creek Canyon up in Denver or even Waterton Canyon.

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