Centennial Cone | The Ultimate Multi

“We got 4:11 Positrac outback, 750 double pumper, Edelbrock intake, bored over 30, 11 to 1 pop up pistons, turbo-jet 390 power.”  What do you call a ride that has got everything?  David Wooderson calls it a Chevelle, I call it Centennial Cone.  The sweet mounds down in JeffCo have got the good stuff and last weekend I thought I’d give the 16 mile loop a try and what I found was pure Colorado mountain biking.

Before you go make sure to check your calendar because mountain bikes are only allowed on even numbered days on the weekends, during the week it’s a free for all.

So I began at the Mayhem Gulch trailhead off the GAR (Grand Army of the Republic Hwy) or Hwy 6 out of Golden Colorado.  The climbing starts immediately at a moderate grade.  The trail is super smooth with very few obstacles and the climb is continuous through the first 2 miles.  The trail splits at the 1.51 mile mark; to the left is the Juniper trail and Mayhem Gulch continues to the right, which is the route I took this day.

Continue climbing for ¾ miles to the first downhill section at mile mark 2.22.  For the next half mile you will need a hammer and chisel to wipe the smile off your face.  At 2.31 miles you reach a second split this time with the Travois trail; go right.  The trail narrows a bit and in some areas the steep drop-offs coupled with loose tread make this section a thrilling yet precarious part of the ride – off to the right you’ll have fantastic views of Clear Creek.  At 2.77 miles the next climb begins.  You’ll reach another short downhill section at 3.68 miles so catch your breath because another climb awaits at 4.16 miles.  This climb is relatively short and feels tough after all the climbing you’ve done so far.

At 4.59 miles at an elevation of 7800 feet “you stand at the threshold to the magical world of sensual delights that most men dare not dream of.”  Hold on over the next 1.85 miles for one of the most enjoyable things you’ll ever do on a mountain bike.  The trail will traverse through dense forest on clear tacky single-track with some challenging switchbacks.  You can catch some insane speeds through this section but be extremely careful because trees and rock line the trail all the way to Elk Creek.  The shade is a bonus since most of the trail to this point has been under full exposure.  At the 6.44 mile mark you reach the bottom and you’re now standing on a well-constructed pedestrian bridge over Elk Creek – stop and enjoy a few moments because your longest climb comes next.

For the next 2.28 miles you’ll climb through tranquil forest on smooth single-track.  This climb is at a lower grade than the climbs before but fatigue will not make it seem so.  The final quarter mile of this climb gets steep and very technical, only the studliest rider will make it on two wheels.  You’ll reach another peak at 8.80 miles followed by 0.85 miles of downhill bliss.  You’ll see a bit more rocks here but nothing larger than softball size.  At 9.43 miles you reach another trail split, this time with the Sunset Trail – go right to continue on the Travois trail.

The trail starts to open up around here exchanging pine trees for wild flowers and open meadows.  You meet back up with the Sunset trail at about the 10 mile mark.  At 10.64 miles you’ll come to a small trailhead parking area and also the end of single-track for the time being.  There’s a lot of sun on this leg of the ride so hopefully you lathered up with some SPF.

The wide double-track Dirt road winds through open fields and private ranch lands so be respectful and close all the gates behind you.  It seems like a lot of climbing at first but hang in there because the end is near.  You finally reach the highest point (7958 feet in elevation) of the ride at 12.22 miles and it is literally all downhill from here.  You’ll catch the Juniper trail at another trailhead at around the 13.72 mile mark.  Enjoy all your hard work; barring any mishaps you’ve all but finished this epic ride.  You’ll come across the split with Mayhem Gulch at 14.84 miles for the final slide home.  The tread gets loose so watch your speed and slow down around every blind corner because chances are there is someone coming up.

I’m not kidding when I say this was the best trail I’ve ever ridden, and that says a lot given the extensive trail systems in and around Boulder County.  This trail has everything and I believe anyone can do it although a beginner or someone from lower elevation may not be able to finish it their first time out.  If I were to make a suggestion, for the part-time enthusiast or visitor ride up 4.59 miles and stop just before the descent and turn around.  The climb out from Elk Creek is a bear and will be a bit much for someone who’s not used to this kind of a workout.

You can find the trail profile at Centennial Cone and try clicking on the player tab for a larger view and to watch the route play out.  Thanks for clicking in and I hope to see you on the trail.

Dirt Life

Chapman Drive | Get Away

Making your way in the world today

Takes everything you’ve got

Taking a break from all your worries

Sure would help a lot.  Wouldn’t you like to get away?

The characters down at Cheers sure knew how to take a break but for some of us sometimes a little sweat and strain goes down better than a mug of tasty suds.

Find the Red Lion Restaurant and you find the Chapman Drive trailhead.  The trail is actually a closed road featuring a continuous 2.6 mile climb from Boulder Canyon Drive to Realization Point and Flagstaff Road.  It’s a 7% grade climb which means the climb slopes 7 feet for every 100 feet of length – not particularly difficult by Colorado standards but those from lower elevations may find it strenuous at times.  The tread is fine gravel Dirt road and often loose with fantastic views and if that isn’t enough to pull you off the bar stool you’ll cheer over the refreshing aromas especially after a little rain.

The heavy rains from last year have made their own bas-relief impressions on the trail and some sections get mighty narrow so check your balance because some of the trenches are deep.  Rocks are few but they just so happen to be concentrated around all the eroded parts of the trail so watch your speed.

This is a multi-use trail so be mindful of other trail users and always yield to hikers although most are happy to let you by.  Climbers always get the right of way and since part of the trail gets narrow it’s important to follow trail etiquette.

Most Boulderites ride Chapman Drive as part of a larger loop and if you don’t mind riding the majority of the loop on pavement alongside local Boulder traffic then this loop ride is well worth the effort.  Click here for the trail profile and if you should ever find yourself in need of a little cheer, hop on the bike and give Chapman Drive a try.

Thanks for clicking in and I hope to see you on the trail. 

Dirt Life

Hobbit Trails | Return to Splendor

Trailhead coordinates: N39°56.795’ W105°31.054’

The Shire is not as Frodo left it before his quest for Mordor.  The vibrant forest that once engulfed the area has suffered from the chain of a saw but not for selfish plight but rather to preserve the forest for generations of Hobbits to come.  Part of the forest may be gone from this once thriving location but the spirit of Middle-Earth remains in some of the finest single-track you’re likely to find in Nederland Colorado.   

West Magnolia and the Hobbit Trails used to lie beneath an abundant pine forest but in recent months deforestation has taken place to rid the area of any fire danger so the first 1.3 miles is fully exposed but the trail is as clear as I remember and still a blast to ride. Temperatures run 10 to 15 degrees cooler up here so even on bright sunny days you'll find the full exposure tolerable.

The first mile or so takes you on ride along meandering single-track over supreme Rocky Mountain terrain.  This section will leave you breathless; without the trees you’re able to enter the turns much faster but be careful because the trail gets loose and the protruding tree stumps litter the area.  At 1.3 miles you’re back in Middle Earth underneath a canopy of towering pine trees.  The trail climbs and descends gently and you’re sure to find all the tight turns intoxicating. 

The tread is rocky but nothing larger than baseball or softball size.  Under the trees the Dirt is what your tires crave; a perfect mix of fine gravel and light soil seasoned with pine needles and the occasional water crossing.  There are short technical climbs that could give you problems if you’re not used to rolling over rocks and roots, just keep your legs moving and you should be fine.  There are a few very wet spots along the way and it’s tough to know if they will dry out over time.  If not, be prepared for mud but don’t sweat it because the trail is relatively short and you’ll be back at the trailhead in no time.

For those who remember it’s tough to see such a pristine trail system disrupted but we all understand that some single-track is better than nothing at all.  Click here for the trail profile and after your ride do yourself a huge favor and check out the Very Nice Brewing Company in Nederland for a flight of tasty suds - you have to try the Petrichor ESB; if a campfire had a flavor, this would be it.  One tip in the event you find yourself at a trailhead without a map; designated trails have maps at the trailhead and if you have a camera handy snap a photo of the map before you depart and zoom in if you get sidetracked.  Thanks for clicking in and I hope to see you on the trail.

Dirt Life