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MTB TRAIL STATS

Avg Rating:	18 trail reviews
Status: Open updated 7/27/09 by rearrango Closed Open Wet / Sketchy	Difficulty: Intermediate
Length: 14 miles	Global Rank: 365
Tread: Singletrack	Configuration: Loop
Ridden: 105	Wishlist: 51
Avg. Speed: 5.35 mph	Avg. Time: 2hr 42min

 

Palmer Trail / Section 16 in Colorado Springs

 

Monarch Crest Trail in Salida

 

Kessel Run in Fruita

 

Mary's Loop / Horsethief Bench in Fruita

 

  
reviewed by rearrango on July 26, 2009

Mostly singletrack around the reservoir, except for crossing the dam (pavement). The trail is easy to find and follow. Enough technical features to keep your skills honest. Ride it clockwise like recommended. We never saw another rider except at the parking lot. Great views of Pike's Peak to the south, so stop along the way and enjoy the scenery. Took us 2:20min with a couple of stops.

  
reviewed by sleeper6 on June 26, 2009

I hiked this trail today. I will be going back soon to ride it. There are a couple of spots that have been washed out (only one that might cause beginners problems). You have this trail listed as "Closed" but it is open and there were several bikers on it today as well. Best to ride trail in the morning if you don't wanted to get wet with the afternoon thunder showers.

  
reviewed by mtnspectre on June 17, 2009

Rode this trail numerous times when I lived in Colorado. Last time I was there I took some of my Army buddies up there. Inexperienced riders and they enjoyed the ride. Would love to take my wife there when get go back to visit.

  
reviewed by vbeckman74 on March 13, 2009

I love this ride. It's rolling hills with a view of the lake for most of the ride. Not very technical, but there are some parts that will make you pay attention.

  
reviewed by skibum on October 12, 2007

This is one of Colorado's most popular trails, and for good reason. The singletrack is way cool, with lots of variety and great views of Pikes Peak. To be honest, the reservior isn't as pretty as a natural lake, especially when the water is low, but the woods and rock formations you're riding through (or over) are spectacular. This one is just plain fun. Unlike most riders, I prefer to ride counterclockwise. This gives the best way to hit the flowy singletrack and the technical spots, and gives you the best downhill about 75% of the way through the ride. Of course, if you go against the grain, it's best to go at an off-peak time.

Similar Trail: Waldo Canyon

  
reviewed by wjacobsen on September 12, 2007

This trail has changed a lot. With many weeks of hard rains in the area. There are several places on the trail where the earth has eroded and the trail is very technical. NOT for beginners and slow for advanced. Expect to take about 5 hours around the lake.

  
reviewed by shane_anthony77 on June 18, 2007

Nice trail. It is all crosscountry, and the views are very good.

  
reviewed by arnolda14 on June 6, 2007

Way fun. The exposure to the water adds a kind of fun psychological boundary - makes it seem more exciting somehow.

  
reviewed by teamfreak16 on May 29, 2007

One of the most fun rides I've ever done. Rampart has a little bit of everything, rollers, technical sections (lots of roots,) climbing, downhills, and the scenery is spectacular. Well worth the effort.

* Review edited 5/31/2007

Similar Trail: Parts of Winter Park are similar, albeit without the lake

  
reviewed by utedude on August 18, 2006

This trail has it all. Fast single track, banked curves, good uphills, great scenery, and some really tight, pedal sc***ing technical sections. A great place to train or stop and have lunch at one of the many picnic tables or amazing boulder formations. I highly recomend this trail to anyone who is visiting the Colorado Springs area.

Similar Trail: The Chutes, Colorado Springs

  
reviewed by geargrinder on July 31, 2006

What a great ride! This singletrack is fast and fun with just a few technical sections and short climbs. If you are a beginner looking to experience singletrack this is a good place to start as the technical sections are not steep and are easy to walk around. If you are an expert it is a blast to rail the corners and negotiate the simple obstacles. Lots of beginners ride this on the weekends, making frequent stops and enjoying the scenery. It can take 2.5 to 3.5 hours to complete a leisurely ride of the loop, so pack lots of food and water! During the week or even late in the evening on weekends there is little traffic. There was once a race here and it took the winner less than an hour to complete a loop. If you are going that fast please be considerate of others, make way for beginners, and smile as you whiz by! This ride has introduced lots of riders to singletrack in Colorado. The scenery, twisty trails and length make it perfect for luring new bikers into our sport.

Similar Trail: Buffalo Creek is a step up in difficulty (more climbing) but not as technical.

  
reviewed by c3667 on May 28, 2006

Great Trail! There were quite a few people there (holiday) but a great veriety of singeltrack and not a lot of climbing! Just and overall great ride!

  
reviewed by sionnach on April 22, 2006

I love this trail, great workout, few technical ares but an all around good trail. I will ride this again!

  
reviewed by telemarkdude on October 2, 2005

This is a great trail trail and recommended. It's mostly smooth gentle up and down singletrack. The technical sections that everyone keeps referring to are very short (just a couple moves here and there, to get through some rocks). A very fast and fun trail.

Similar Trail: Twin Lakes Loop

  
reviewed by Ratchet_Jack on September 26, 2005

Rode this in the afternoon of 9.24.05 after a family picnic under some aspens across from the trailhead. Very nice ride. The water was low and showed off some really cool boulders and watermarks. You can get up some pretty good speed on this ride. The few technical areas are good spots for practice. Not sure what the mountain bikerís code would say about that but I did take a couple of mulligans. The flagstone sluice boxes that funnel runoff into the lake are interesting. Like riding through a bathtub. Lots of side trails that are great for exploring and most lead up to access roads or down to the reservoir. I really got a kick out of the high bank ěIndyî style corners with the Colorado Corn in the apex, challenging at speed. Next time, I may park by the dam as bonkedagain suggests, the ride in on that dirt road is total washboard. Fun ride, canít wait to try it in the Spring.

  
reviewed by bonkedagain on August 2, 2005

This trail is always a pleasure to ride. No gut buster hills (especially if you park near the dam), lots of swoopy turns. A couple short technical sections for variety. Nice views. Rideable by anyone with basic bike skills. A great place to have a fun ride without killing yourself.

  
reviewed by carbon_bars on July 1, 2005

rode here this morning it is a good loop. has alot of smooth single track with pretty much even terrrian. good trail to ride a single speed on or just grind out your middle ring. if scopebite is looking to ride this trail i do not think he could hang.. lol over all great cardio loop!!

  
reviewed by trek7k on July 18, 2003

Rode out here today, 18 July 03. The trail is open even though there are signs saying the reservoir is closed. Just park at the trailhead described in the review above and you'll be alright. The lake level is up, the grass is green, and the flowers are out. Awesome time to ride here.

Similar Trail: Colorado trail near Deckers, CO.

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