OverviewA relatively small (11 miles total track) Jefferson County Open Space Park with significant elevation gain, fairly tight switchbacks, and a number of technical obstacles, but very few drops/jumps. Located in SW Golden, CO, near I-70 & Morrison Exit. Can be combined with Chimney Gulch/Windy Saddle Open Space Park for a significantly longer ride (15+ miles) with slightly more gain overall (2500' gain).Trail DescriptionExclusively singletrack. Varies in technical difficulty from easy, fast hardpack sand/dirt to extremely difficult large rocky outcrops and/or ramps. Very tight switchbacks, sometimes with log/rubber waterbars. Enchanted Forest trail is more dirt and loam, but can stay muddy later in the spring due to its north aspect. The bottom of the trail is wide fire road (this was the Apex/Gregory Toll Road back in the 1870's). Some places have fairly significant exposure; if you fall off the trail, you will tumble downhill a good 15'-20'+. Getting ThereI-70 west to the Morrison exit. Go north about 1.5 miles to the Heritage Square center on your left (west). Park in either lower or upper lot on the north side. The trail picks up immediately at a small TH on the north side of both lots. See Chimney Gulch for TH directions to start at Chimney Gulch TH.
To combine trails:
I recommend starting here (Apex TH), riding north down the concrete path downhill all the way to the Chimney Gulch TH. At one point, you will have to cross Hwy 93/6 to get back to the west side for the Chimney TH. This can be accomplished at the stoplight at 19th & 93/6, or through a tunnel underneath 93/6 directly opposite of the TH.
When to BikeDuring a dry or a warm year, this trail can be ridden year round. During heavy snow winters, the trails can become snowpacked/icy, and studded snow tires are required. Summer mid-day temps can be brutal, exceeding 110 degrees F on the south exposed slopes. There are a lot of "evening warriors" who hit the trail after work during the work week, so evening traffic picks up significantly after 4:30p.m. until around 7:30p.m. Mornings are usually very empty. Weekend traffic can be heavy as well, especially mid-morning to mid-afternoon. A few groups do early morning (re:5:30-7:00a.m.) downhill shuttle runs from the top of the trail, although this has come under recent scrutiny by the JCOS Rangers, who will ticket for "out of control" riding. Recommendations & DescriptionsApex Trail Trail head at lower Heritage Square Parking lot 2.8 mi +1795' / -452' Exposed, steep trail at times, with views of Denver & Golden.
Pick N Sledge Trail junction w/ Apex Trail 1.6 mi +878'/-202' Pleasant trail that crosses ridgeline.
Grubstake Loop Trail junction w/ Pick N Sledge 1.6 mi +643 /-453' Trail with numerous switchbacks and scenic views.
Sluicebox Trail junction w/ Apex Trail 0.7 mi +397' / -91' Exposed, steep trail with numerous switchbacks.
Bonanza Trail junction w/ Grubstake Loop 0.3 mi +220' / -53' Exposed, shortcut between west and east part of Grubstake Loop.
Enchanted Forest West trail junction w/ Apex Trail 1.3 mi +237'/-647' Densely wooded, crosses creek and has an average grade of 8%.
I recommend up Apex to the top, down Enchanted, down to Sluicebox, uphill to Grubstake, take Grubstake to the 3-way intersection, head west back uphill to Sluicebox again, this time take Bonanza south back to Pick 'N Sledge, back downhill to the bottom/TH. This will allow you to ride every bit of singletrack in the park, totaling just over 11 miles and a little over 2000' of gain.
JCOS Apex page:
http://co.jefferson.co.us/openspace/openspace_T56_R4.htm
Apex Trail map:
http://co.jefferson.co.us/jeffco/openspace_uploads/apxmp.pdf Images |
