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Walker Ranch Mountain Bike Trail
Boulder, Colorado
MTB TRAIL STATS
Avg Rating:   |
29 trail reviews |
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Status: updated 10/23/11 by rxp_rider |
Difficulty:  Advanced |
| Length: 7 miles | Global Rank: #451 |
| Tread: Doubletrack | Configuration: Loop |
| Ridden: 226 | Wishlist: 70 |
| Avg. Speed: 5.01 mph | Avg. Time: 1hr 44min |
| Elevation Gain/Loss: +1,515/-1,405 ft |
Directions:
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Description: Single and double track, loop, variable terrain, cliff conditions so you need to dismount in one spot. Fast changing weather. Occasional joggers + horses. Average Ride under 2 hours. Is a great ride in either direction.
added on November 21, 2003 by guest
Description: Single and double track, loop, variable terrain, cliff conditions so you need to dismount in one spot. Fast changing weather. Occasional joggers + horses. Average Ride under 2 hours. Is a great ride in either direction.
added on November 21, 2003 by guest 
SIMILAR TRAILS
Riders who liked this mountain bike trail also liked:Trail 401 in Crested Butte
Hall Ranch in Lyons
Zippety Do Dah in Fruita
Kessel Run in Fruita
TRAIL REVIEWS review this trail
reviewed by davefourtwenty on October 24, 2011
Pretty easy single track with the exception of the massive staircase that is a definite hike-a-bike unless you're out of your mind and want to try it.
reviewed by speeedracer27 on September 11, 2011
Epic trail. Unbelievable downhills with some serious climbing. Rode it clockwise so did the hike a bike up the stairs. Not too bad of a climb. Scenery is second to none. The first downhill is amazing, a lot of lose stone so I can see why CCW direction would be more difficult to climb. Folks seem to be divided between CW and CCW, depending on who you ask. Either way this is a techical trail that should not be missed. Bring lots of water and your best game.
reviewed by RyanBertrand390 on August 21, 2011
Fantastic trail. Good downhill sections with some nice technical uphill parts as well. I had to dismount at a couple points because of a combination of steep angles and big rocks. Went over my handlebars on a downhill section because I took a terrible line. Keeps you honest. If you've lived at sea level your whole life, and day 3 of being in Boulder you do the Super Walker loop, make sure you are in fantastic shape. I had no idea how brutal Flagstaff was and was relieved when I got to the trailhead. My first ride in Colorado, and it was quite memorable.
reviewed by gparavi on August 7, 2011
Great ride, you need to be in decent shape to enjoy it. Really nice views. I did it CCW and hope to try it CW soon, either way is going to be a good downhill and good climbs too.
reviewed by bodhig10 on July 10, 2011
My favorite in the Front range. I tend to be one who prefers the Counter-clock direction it makes the back single-track way more fun and faster. Otherwise you're climbing the really fun section of this trail. Either direction you're climbing alot.
reviewed by anti_hero022 on June 17, 2011
I rode this trail bunch of times, but always did it clockwise. Until recently I decided to go counter-clockwise. Big mistake! Don't recommend it to anyone unless you like steep climbs and loose soil. Clockwise is always fun, except you have to carry your bike up the stairs, which I think of as good challenge. But you get the best of the downhills. Or you can do it counterclockwise, but as out and back and turn around at the stairs. After the stairs is when it gets bad, only climbing left. Overall difficulty its in between blue and black diamond
reviewed by epurcell on October 5, 2010
This is my favorite front range trail so far. It has a little bit of everything for the intermediate to advanced rider. The uphills are technical at times and can be loose sand and rock. The downhills are fast, fun, and sometimes technical as well. Clockwise results in the best downhill sections but you will have to hike-a-bike when you get to the creek. You will also have a gradual but mostly non-technical climb out to return to the trailhead. Reverse direction allows for a start and finish downhill, but they are poorer in quality versus clockwise.
* Review edited 10/5/2010
Similar Trail: Apex (Apex trail to Sluicebox to Pick)
reviewed by tickledpickle on August 28, 2010
This is the hardest trail that I have ridden so far, and I consider myself an intermediate rider. It's an advanced trail, a lot of rocks and some areas which you have to hike and carry your bike. A lot of loose gravel and at times quite bouncy. Diverse and beautiful scenery, very well worth the difficult ride.
reviewed by mooniakrides on June 28, 2010
I did a shortened version of "Super" Walker Ranch, Denver version. "Super" Walker is classically known as riding your bike up Flagstaff Road to the Walker Ranch trailhead and doing Walker Ranch and riding back to Boulder. My Denver version is riding up Coal Creek Canyon about 7 miles, turning right onto Crescent Park Road to Gross Dam Road to the other trailhead on Walker Ranch and doing the trail. My shortened version is starting at Crescent Park Road. Check my trip out at everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=681745 or for other trails mooniakrides.webs.com. This trail is very scenic and has some fun singletrack. It follows South Boulder Creek, and there is one section you have to hike a bike, but the creek is very pretty at this area.
Similar Trail: Matthew Winters/Red Rocks
reviewed by cucycling44 on June 23, 2010
Great trail. Several very technical sections. Be prepared for a little hike-a-bike. This trail has a little bit of everything. Nice drive to the trailhead up flagstaff mountain.
* Review edited 6/23/2010
reviewed by Gross_Venediger on September 20, 2009
Awesome trail! Rode it counter clockwise on an old no suspension bike so I did a lot of walking on the uphills. But the downhills are a blast, even with no suspension. Great variety, great scenery.
reviewed by Mikeoutdoor on July 17, 2009
Great ride! This is a fun loop with varied terrain. All but great riders will have to walk a short section of the ride. Watch out for walkers on the trail. Also, Boulder County Open Space does not give special use permits to outfitters, so watch out for rogue guide services operating without a permit....NFGA.info
* Review edited 7/17/2009
Similar Trail: Heil Ranch
reviewed by Natural_ on April 23, 2009
Great advanced trail! Best downhills I've ever seen. This trail has amazing views. Varried terrian for the advanced mountain biker. Visit www.nfga.info to ride this trail with a guide!
* Review edited 4/23/2009
reviewed by jkovaly on November 23, 2008
I parked at the Crescent Meadow lot on Gross Dam rd, closer coming from Golden. Rode the loop clockwise (recommended for better downhills) ~2.5mi (1st mile is awesome downhill) and then took the connector trail over to Meyers Homestead out-and-back (this added nearly 8mi). Then completed the loop around to the car, about 5mi. The stairs coming up from S. Boulder Creek are long and difficult (going up or down), plan to CAREFULLY carry your bike about .25mi from the bottom up to the top, no wonder this looks like a 100% incline on the GPS map! The rest of the trail has some good up-and-down sections with nothing overly technical or steep. Total distance I rode, including the side trip to Meyers Homestead, was 15.5mi. * Review edited 11/23/2008* Review edited 11/23/2008
* Review edited 11/23/2008
Similar Trail: Golden Gate Canyon
reviewed by kuala_tahan on October 19, 2008
Holy climbing. Trail's got some of everything, a fun ride. and a lot of climbing
reviewed by barrycroker on October 16, 2008
Rode Walker for the first time in 8 years last week and it was longer than I had remembered! A classic Boulder ride, with a little of everything. Be sure to bring your climbing legs. Best ridden clockwise IMHO. Glad to see things are recovering from the fire.
Similar Trail: Hall Ranch
reviewed by Wiseclam on August 27, 2008
Walker is a fun and challenging 7.5 mile loop. Very well maintained. Beautiful terrain, mostly wooded. Many steep climbs but nothing too unforgiving. The back side (south side) of the loop is the most enjoyable with lots of free riding up and down roler coaster sections. The hike down the stairs (or up if you head clockwise) isn't fun with a heavy bike but consider it part of the challenge and you might even enjoy it. You can always do "Super Walker" and ride from Boulder which adds a steep 7+ mile ride to the trailhead (and back, of course).
Similar Trail: Hall Ranch
reviewed by slimflynn on July 28, 2008
There is a lot of climbing here. Bring the legs and lungs. For the 7 mile loop that I did there is 5 of climbing and 2 of down hill. Nothing overly technical. I found the trail to be loose dirt/rock which presented traction issues on certain climbs.
reviewed by gcarlson on June 17, 2008
sweet ride!!! the first downhill is one of the best in the country
Similar Trail: Tsali National Park North Carolina
reviewed by mikestahlman on May 13, 2008
You have to be in pretty good shape to enjoy this trail. Forget the fact that you are at altitude...there is a lot of elevation change. It feels as though you are never riding on flat terrain. Extreme ups...and extreme downs. Which makes for most of the ride spent climbing. (Or in my case walking my bike up the hills)
reviewed by keoni111 on April 7, 2008
Rode it yesterday, nice and dry most of the way. North slope just after the top gets kind of icy and sloppy at times. Still a fun ride though.
reviewed by arnolda14 on June 6, 2007
This is one of the very best rides in Boulder County. What am I saying? This is one of the best rides ever. Scenic and diverse terrain. This is the consumate Boulder county mtn. biking experience.
reviewed by dauw on June 25, 2006
Excellent trail. Great combination of technicallity, climbing, decending, jumping. Can be loose in some areas. Very scenic. Watch for kayakers when waters up. Can be crowded. Trail well marked.
reviewed by itchyfeet on January 13, 2006
This was the first rail i rode in Co. after moving from Va. so the elevation was a huge obstacle. I have been on it so many times now it is like clockwork. Great views of the canyon, and stream with some fun downhills. Best ride is right around spring when the rapids pick up, beautiful ride!
reviewed by Rebus on December 20, 2005
Classic Boulder-style riding. Elevation is something to contend with for us flat-landers but the scenery is beautiful and the trails are fun. It's easy to spend a whole day out here. It can get a tad crowded at times though.
Similar Trail: Hall, Heil
reviewed by mook21 on August 1, 2005
It was difficult only because of the elevation since I ride in Northern Virginia (max elevation 2,500 ft!!!). The trail was loads of fun and rather easy technically. Even the technical section (where you go one way for more technical, another for less technical) was very easy by Virginia standards. I'd ride it again just for the great downhill when going counter-clockwise. Steady climbs and a nice spot by the river.
reviewed by JohnsXCbike on April 12, 2005
VERY FUN TRAIL!!!! lots of climbing on a dirt road at the end if you go clockwise, I'd recomend going clockwise. Beautiful ride, take your time and enjoy.
reviewed by Marlin_D/H on August 18, 2004
This course has presented itself as a bit of a challenge for me. I've ridden it w/ Pain_is_relative but have not been able to complete the loop as he has. The times that Iíve attempted this trail, I was on a p.o.s. Mongoose that presented me problems and I was not entirely in the best of shape when trying this trail. How ever, since then Iíve been riding Green Mnt. and have built up my endurance and have purchased a new bike and am excited to try this trail again. From what I have ridden, the trail provides an array of obstacles such as big rocks and rivers to plow through. All in all I would have to say that Pain_Is_Relative sums this trail up the best! see ya on the Mnt.
reviewed by Pain_Is_Relative on August 17, 2004
Classic Colorado and what do you expect from a Boulder trail. This is my favorite morning ride because of its drive time and the great comprehensive terrain. Downhill, technical, aerobic, and flat out fun. I have road this ride as the whole loop or as a there and back half loop ride. It is great both ways but if you are going to ride the whole loop I recommend riding it counterclockwise. I alwa**tart from the Northeast parking lot off of Flagstaff road. There is another parking lot about half way around the loop after you pass the reservoir dam on Flagstaff. Don't waste your time driving to it just start at the first parking lot. Watch out for trail runners who at times can pass you at technical uphill climbs.
Similar Trail: White Ranch and Dakota Ridge/Red Rocks Trail
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