Overview

Buffalo Creek includes the first 3 sections of the Colorado Trail (depending on if you start in Waterton Canyon), as well as significant portions of the Pike National Forest. Also, Pine Valley Ranch Open Space Park enters the northern end of it just outside the town of Pine. There is a Forest Service Ranger Station in the town of Buffalo Creek as well. More than 50 miles of excellent biking exists in this area, almost all of it on fast, mostly non-technical singletrack.

PPG. Never gets stickier, even when wet. You can have some fantastic slides in this stuff, intentional or not.

All of the trails in the area are multi-use. You will likely encounter equestrians, hikers, Colorado Trail through-hikers, and other bikers. The FR roads (while you can ride them, are not recommeded) can have motorcycles, OHVs, and cars/trucks. This area is under the jurisdiction of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, should problems or trouble arise. Cell phone coverage is spotty at best.

COMING NEXT YEAR - 2010 - The first truly "freeride" trail in the area is currently being constructed. There are 2 more upcoming work trail building weekends - July 18/19, and August 15/16. Please contact Front Range Mountain Bike Patrol, COMBA, or the South Platte Ranger district for more info on how to help build this new trail!

This area has been involved in 3 very large forest fires, one of which (Hayman burn) was the biggest in Colorado's history. They are:

Buffalo Creek fire of 1996 (NE area)
High Meadows fire of 2000
Hayman Burn of 2002

Getting There

From Denver:
Take Highway 285 west to the town of Pine Junction, where it intersects with CO-126. From there, head south to the town of Pine. If you want to start at the JCOS PVROSP, stop right before town - the road to the OSP is on your right, .2 miles outside town. Continue through Pine, and you have 2 options here - park at the (free, but no bathrooms) Forest Service Station, or continue on up through the town of Buffalo Creek and head uphill to the Long Scraggy TH, FR 550 intersection on your right hand side. There is a day-use fee here for parking. I believe it is $3, but it includes a bathroom.

Edit: 8.24.08 - there is a new free parking area on 543 about .25 miles in from HWY 126. This parking area saves you from having to cross 126 to and from the road, which is good for safety.

From Colorado Springs:

Take Hwy 24 west and north to Hwy 67, taking that north to Hwy 126.

Red Tape

None, although hunting and target practice take place within Pike N.F., so it isn't impossible that you will hear gunshots. There is no driving/parking on South Buffalo Creek Road (formerly FR 543).

Team responding to a small fire on Shinglemill, 8.3.08.

Please, if you see any sign of a new fire, PLEASE report it to the Forest Service ASAP. Wildland Fire Crews will deal with it promptly if reported promptly.

Also, please bring enough water and supplies with you - spare parts, tubes, etc. You can be a long way from assistance. Best to know how to change a tube and do minor repairs yourself before you embark on an epic 20+ miler down in B.C.

External Links

Front Range Mountain Bike Patrol has a fantastic map of the entire area HERE.

Jefferson County Open Space has park info for Pine Valley Open Space Park (large facilities) HERE.

Weather

The Forest Service has decent info for the area HERE.

IMBA Epics

Camping

There are several spots within PNF that allow camping - Buffalo Creek CG, Baldy CG, etc. Best to check in with them for fees. I don't believe you can reserve campground spots.

Water (potable, but not necessarily treated) is available at the CGs and at a few pumps on select roads.

When to RIDE!!!

Hot. Sweaty. Snotty. What's better?

Mid-summer, mid-day temps can be brutal. There is mixed forest, so some shade is available. Often, we jump in Buffalo Creek to cool down in the midst of summer. Afternoon thunderstorms can be severe, and you can often be 10 miles or more from the car - carry your extra gear.

Head in a tank.

You can ride in the area from late spring to late fall/early winter. The trails keep snow for a while in mid-winter, but you can bike down in the area 9-10 of the 12 months of the year.

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