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| Rattlesnake Gulch   | 
| Location: Colorado, United States, North America Lat/Lon: 39.92937°N / 105.29011°W Trail Type: Cross Country County: Boulder Technical Difficulty: Medium Aerobic Difficulty: Hard Layout: Lollipop Elevation Gain: 1250 ft / 381 m Length: 3.6 Mi / 5.8 Km
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| Page By: Chris Created/Edited: Oct 16, 2007 / Oct 16, 2007 Object ID: 262532 Hits: 1077 Loading... Page Score: 86.76% - 3 Votes Loading... Vote: Log in to vote |
OverviewThe Rattlesnake Gulch trail is the only trail in Eldorado Springs State Park currently open to mountain biking. It's a steep, loose, lung-burning climb up to the site of the old Crags Hotel but the views into Eldorado Canyon and west to the Continental Divide are worth it.
The Crags Hotel was in operation from 1908 until 1912, when it burned down. There are still some ruins, including two fireplaces and an old fountain.
Trail DescriptionFrom the Fowler Trailhead:
Follow the Fowler Trail east for 0.15 miles to the junction of the Rattlesnake Gulch trail. Take a right and begin climbing a technical section of trail. This section ends quickly and the trail descends slightly and crosses a (normally) wet area at 0.45 miles, in a right switchback. The climbing begins in earnest from here as you switchback up to the Crags Hotel ruins at mile 1.2.
There is a trail junction at the Crags ruins. This makes the upper loop of the Rattlesnake Gulch Trail. You can go either direction, these are given clockwise. From the junction, turn left and continue climbing steeply up a long south facing switchback. At the sharp right of the switchback, mile 1.6, you can hop off the bike and hike past the wooden fence and see the tracks of the Union Pacfic Railroad. This railroad eventually crosses under the Continental Divide through the Moffat Tunnel, about 20 miles west. The tracks are private property, do not tresspass.
Back at the switchback... continue climbing. At mile 2.0 you'll see a spur leading off to the left, to an overlook. It's worth the short climb to see the views from here. After short bit of climbing you'll begin a quick descent which will return you to the Crags ruins at mile 2.5.
From here, either do another lap or return to your car the way you came. Total distance, car-to-car with one lap, is 3.6 miles.
Mileages:
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0.0 - Trailhead
0.15 - Fowler/Rattlesnake junction, go right
0.45 - Creek crossing, trail curves right and begins climbing
1.2 - Crags Ruins, left at junction
1.6 - Switchback at the railroad tracks
2.0 - Overlook
2.5 - Return to Crags Ruins
3.45 - Fowler/Rattlesnake Junction
3.6 - TrailheadGetting ThereFrom Boulder (Canyon/Hwy 119 and Broadway):
Take Broadway south out of Boulder. You'll leave town and cross an area of open space. Shortly, you'll reach the Eldorado Springs Rd/Hwy 157 at a stoplight. Take a right here and continue about 3 miles to the town of Eldorado Springs. Drive through Eldorado Springs and enter Eldorado Springs State Park (Fee: $6 per car). Follow the road into the park and drive about 0.6 miles to a parking area on the left (Fowler/Rattlesnake Gulch Trailhead). Park here.
When to BikeThe trail is usually free from snow from April through November. Red Tape, Fees, LinksFees: There is a $6 per car fee to enter Eldorado Springs Park.
Hours: Park is closed sunset to sunrise.
Camping: There is no camping in Eldorado Springs.
Official Park Website: Eldorado Springs State Park Images |
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