OverviewThe entire Colorado Trail goes from Denver (Waterton Canyon) to Durango, taking up 476 miles. The biking CT is a little longer (500+ miles) since you can't ride bikes through wilderness areas, and a few times detours exist to take you on FS roads or other doubletrack. These 3 sections are the closest to the Front Range, and are the most accessible. The Buffalo Creek biking area is a Colorado IMBA Epic trail. Highly recommended.
These three sections can be done as out-and-backs, point-point with a shuttle, or any combination thereof with camping in the Pike National Forest.
Trail DescriptionTrail starts out as fire road, changes to double track, then almost exclusively singletrack. Usually decomposed Pikes Peak granite, sometimes a little sandy, a little clay. Usually very quick riding stuff.
Section 1 - 16.8 miles, 2160' gain
Section 2 - 11.5 miles, 2200' gain
Section 3 - 12.7 miles, 1520' gain
Section 1 may be the most boring for bikers, especially going from 1-2 (2-1 provides good downhill!) This starts in the remnant town of Kassler and follows the South Platte River through Waterton Canyon and part of Roxborough Park to the remnant town of South Platte, at County road 96.
Section 2 is good, clean, singletrack fun. It goes through the 1996 Buffalo Creek Fire and passes by the Top of the World Campground (closed, burned completely) and ends at the Long Scraggy TH (day use parking fee) at FS 550.
Section 3 is also great fun. The track changes a little to dirt here, with all of the branch trails coming off it that make up the Buffalo Creek IMBA Epic Ride. It goes from the Long Scraggy TH/FS 550 to Wellington Lake Road, FS 560. There are some very steep parts at the west end, providing big ups and downs for climbs/descents.Getting ThereSection 1 - Take C-470 to the Wadsworth Exit, head south, and take a left at South Platte River Road (popular day use area). Head west into the obvious canyon. Bathroom facilities exist here).
Section 2 - Take Hwy 285 west to Pine Junction, turn south, head down to Pine, drive through town, turn left at the junction with the north fork of the South Platte, head east to the remnant town of South Platte following County Road 96 to the TH (prominent bridge, bathroom facilities).
Section 3 - Follow the previous directions for Section 2, except instead of turning on C-96, keep heading south through the town of Buffalo Creek and head uphill until you see the Long Scraggy TH on your right. Bathroom facilities exist here, too. Day use fee applies).
You can also park off of CR68 (Wellington Lake Road) at the Rolling Creek/CT TH. You can ride west or south from here to the boundary of the wilderness area, or head east along the CT. Some sections are brutally steep near 550.
When to BikeSpring, Summer, Fall. Mid-day temps can be exceedingly hot, and the trail is exposed with little shade in many places due to the canyons, burns, and open terrain. Water is available in the river, but it must be treated before drinking.Links & Other infoColorado Trail Foundation - Biking the Trail
Section info for 1-3 here.
Forest Service info
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Buffalo Creek, Colorado
