Your taxpayer dollars at work...the US Air Force created something beautiful in the hills above the Air Force Academy. 100% singletrack that's challenging and newly redesigned with sustainability in mind.

Trail Description

I typically start from the Outdoor Recreation Center parking lot. This trail is well-marked with white plastic pickets with a black falcon silhouette. Picking up the trail from behind the gas station, turn left and descend, crossing Community Center Drive about 200 yards downhill. Cross Pine Drive near the fire station and head towards the woods. Cross a creek over a small bridge and pedal out of the trees to emerge along West Monument Creek Road. 50 yards ahead, cross the road and pick up the trail, paralleling the road for a few hundred yards until the trail ducks back into the trees. Cross a creek twice more and begin a short, somewhat technical climb followed by a short descent that drops over some rocks while simultaneously threading the needle between trees and larger rocks. Pedal again over a bridge on the creek and make a right turn at a doubletrack in a clearing. Keep an eye out for black bears in this section...I've seen a couple, and many others have sighted them there too. If you see them, they'll likely be running away from you -- but I've seen cubs here with Mama Bear, so it doesn't hurt to make loud huffing noises while you climb -- and it helps you breathe. Pick up the singletrack again, diving into the trees and beginning a long climb, steep at times. Keep huffing and puffing...you'll make a right turn at a trail marker and climb along a couple switchbacks along a hillside. Topping out on this climb brings you to a fun, fast, twisty section with lots of small jumps. Pass the Stanley Canyon trailhead and continue down to Academy Drive and cross it. Climb up past a small parking area and begin a fast, fun descent towards the Cadet Area, crossing Interior Drive onto a loose, gravelly section of wide singletrack. Watch your tread here -- Pikes Peak granite is prevalent in this area and is a lot like riding on ball bearings at times. Cross another bridge and climb along Cross Drive, crossing about 100 yards up to pick up a couple switchbacks that take you to a long, fast ridgetop ride with lots of jumps and twists. Drop off this ridge and cross another two-lane road for more fast forest riding, emerging between Stadium Boulevard and the golf course. Keep an eye out for the trail markers here as the trail has recently been re-routed around a frustrating sand pit. This is the home stretch...emerge behind the gas station and return to your car.

Getting There

The easiest way to gain access to the USAFA grounds is to know someone in the military or civil service who mountain bikes. Otherwise, depending on the security situation and activities on base, stop by the USAFA visitor's center just outside the gate at the north end of Academy Boulevard in Colorado Springs. You'll need a valid Driver's License with no outstanding warrants (they scan your DL now, and if anything untoward shows up, they'll turn you around and may notify the authorities), current proof of insurance, and current vehicle registration. You'll be issued a day pass, given a recreation map, and told where to park.

When to Bike

Colorado Springs enjoys over 300 days of sun every year, and can have pleasant days any time of year. Winters can be snowy and cold at times, but never for long. Parts of this trail may be snowy all winter, so the most consistent time to ride is April through November. Summer monsoonal thunderstorms usually hit with military precision and fury around 3:30pm coming off the Rampart Range, with large hail, high winds, and vicious lightning, though they rarely last more than 30-45 minutes and giving way to clear skies and pleasant late-afternoon/evening temps. Summer temps are warm to hot, with low humidity all year. Typically, USAFA is 10-15 degrees cooler than Denver, 50 miles to the North.