Avg Rating:   |
9 trail reviews |
Difficulty:  - Advanced |
|
| Length: 15 miles | Global Rank: #4690 |
| Tread: Singletrack | Configuration: Out & Back |
| Ridden: 17 | Wishlist: 8 |
| 0 trail check-ins |
Climb // Descend +3,500 // -900 feet |
Directions
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Description
This is the most brutal climb in the area. The first couple miles are on a tough grade through loose gravel, but nothing unbearable. Then it gets really steep. Then it gets steeper, still on the wretched gravel. Then come the switchbacks. Every time you think you're all the way up, you come around a bend or another false summit that tells you otherwise. But the scenery's good and the downhill is a lot of fun, although most don't see it as worth the climb. I was going to do this as an uphill leg for the Jones Park or Pipeline downhills, but by the time I got to the top, I was too whipped to attack them, so I simply turned around and came back down St Marys Falls. It took me less than three hours, but it was an excruciating three hours. Recommended for masochists only.
RoadWarrior on July 4, 2012
South Saint Vrain (100%)
Palmer Trail / Section 16 (100%)
Monarch Crest Trail (100%)
Jones Downhill (100%)
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Description
This is the most brutal climb in the area. The first couple miles are on a tough grade through loose gravel, but nothing unbearable. Then it gets really steep. Then it gets steeper, still on the wretched gravel. Then come the switchbacks. Every time you think you're all the way up, you come around a bend or another false summit that tells you otherwise. But the scenery's good and the downhill is a lot of fun, although most don't see it as worth the climb. I was going to do this as an uphill leg for the Jones Park or Pipeline downhills, but by the time I got to the top, I was too whipped to attack them, so I simply turned around and came back down St Marys Falls. It took me less than three hours, but it was an excruciating three hours. Recommended for masochists only.
added by skibum 
on March 21, 2008
on March 21, 2008Trail Reviews [Add a review]
0 out of 0 readers found this useful
Review: Decided I needed to do a little hiking so used this trail to access Jones Downhill/ Pipeline. Hiked this trail 34 years ago so knew what I was getting into. Oh to be 34 years younger. from Gold Camp Rd to the base of the falls is a pretty mellow ride, after that if you are not in excellent shape, and acclimated to the altitude, you will wish you had brought your hiking boots. At 9000' altitude started to bother me, at 10,000' thought about turning around, and bailing out via Stove Mtn to Gold Camp Rd. at 11'000 was rewarded with some awesome views of Pikes Peak. Even ridden down hill this trail would eat you alive if you don't know what you're doing.
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Review: I actually did this ride from the very bottom, in town: The Chutes, to Gold Camp Rd, to Spring Creek, to Columbine, back onto Gold Camp, then to St. Mary's. The previous reviews are a bit harsh, but pacing is the key. The route I took covers almost 4800 vertical feet and took approx 2 hours(with some wrong turns) and a total of 21 miles. There are some "hike-a-bike" sections, but who cares?? The view at the top is SO worth it!
If you know how to descend at speed, it's a lot of fun! If you don't, you could get pretty jacked up. Never ride "over your head"! It's always better to dismount and walk down a sketchy section, then endo and walk town the whole way!
If you're an advanced rider, you'll appreciate the work put in on the climb, and the descent is fast and flowy. It took me less than 25 minutes for a full descent!
Enjoy, and never ride over your head!
Review: There is no reason to ride up this thing. It's a hike, no matter your skill. Make it a big loop. Ride up Gold Camp and down this one.
Similar Trail: Jones' Downhill or Columbine
Similar Trail: Jones' Downhill or Columbine
Review: The other descriptions pretty much nailed it on the head. This trail is quite a tough climb, with quite a few sections where you may have to walk the bike. As said before, this trail wasn't built with a mountain biker in mind, but it is doable. Be very careful if you decide to take the same route down, there can be lots of foot and bike traffic and there is lots of loose gravel.
Review: This trail was not built with a mountain biker in mind, but can be used as an alternative to get to the Top of Jones Park or Pipeline instead of Gold Camp Road. At best this trail is about 70% rideable. I wouldn't consider rideing it down.
Review: I rode this trail a couple years ago with a buddy and WHOA was that a mistake! We ended up riding it all the way to the top and linking it in with Jones Park Downhill. I love Jones Park, but that day all that I wanted was to get down the trail and to my car. It is the toughest uphill that I have ever done and to all those who say that you have to earn your uphill, well lets say I have paid for a few years in advance.
Review: Ah yes the steep wreched gravel. Both times I did this ride I didn't come back down the same way, I thought it would be to steep and sketchy to enjoy. If you keep going up you'll hit more singletrack and fire roads/jeep trails, and can come back down gold cramp road for an easy ride down, but you still have quite a bit more climbing past the falls until you get to some downhill, but its all very doable compared to whats before the falls.
Another route is to take this trail up and over Mt Rose with some awesome views from the top. You'll likely be carrying your bike at least half the time up rosa. You may want a topo map of the area, it got confusing in a few spots up there.* Review edited 2/23/2009* Review edited 2/23/2009
* Review edited 2/23/2009
* Review edited 2/23/2009
Review: I tried this last november and crashed about 2 miles in. messed up my back and tore my good sweats. (theres a redneck saying) I gave it another go in june2008 with out research. WTF I hated this trail yeah i walked a lot. bike on shoulder was a good work out. I finally made it to the lower section of the falls. Started up the switch backs and finally gave up when i had to climb over the boulders in the trail. dont even try it unless your in very good shape. i wasn't! took my 47 yr old body 3 days to recover. Still havent made it to the top of the falls but i will in 2009.
Similar Trail: lizard head
Similar Trail: lizard head
Review: I have ridden this quite a few times. It is definitely a brutal climb, and between the steep and the loose granite you should expect to walk at least a half mile or more where the trail goes past the waterfall, and there is another steep and rocky section further up that will also get you out of the saddle. But, if you pace yourself it isn't too bad, and for riding to the top of Jones Park (Frosty Park, actually) I would much rather go up this way than ride around Gold Camp Road. I definitely recommend against riding down this trail since it suffers from serious erosion (don't make it worse) and with all the loose granite you have high risk of doing a face-plant.
Recommendations
Buckhorn Loop (100%)South Saint Vrain (100%)
Palmer Trail / Section 16 (100%)
Monarch Crest Trail (100%)
Jones Downhill (100%)
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