LOCALS RIDE & SKI GUIDE

Bike: Mountain

Difficulty: Moderate

Length: 12.2 mi

The Sourdough Trail contains a few rocks. Big rocks, little rocks, everywhere a rock, rock. If you are looking to get your low-speed technical on, this is the trail for you. For a ripping fun descent, make sure to add the South St. Vrain trail onto your ride.

Most ride it as an out ‘n back from the south end, but it’s also fun as a loop if you don’t mind riding some road.

For the fat bikers out there – Sourdough from the southern trailhead to the Peace Bridge is a great option. All the rocks you encounter during the summer are covered in snow!

Bike: Mountain

Difficulty: Easy to Expert

Length: 40.5 mi

The West Magnolia Trails System is quite the amalgamation of trails, right out our front door. This network offers a variety of trails with difficulty ranging from beginner to epically insane. Some of our favorites in this system of networked trails include:

Bus ‘n Shack

We recommend this as a downhill trail, accessing the top via FS Road 105. If you choose to climb this trail, you must scream “Shaka Brah” at the top of your lungs the entire climb to alert downhill traffic that you’re coming. There are a few entrances to this trail, but if you want to ride the whole way, you need to climb all the way to the Super Circle.

Habitrail (aka Hobbits)

This may be the twistiest section of trail in the world. Due to the recent fuels treatment work, you will occasionally find yourself weaving through an open field…but on the bright side, the views are amazing. If you’re looking for some fun intermediate trails though, Hobbit 1, 2, and 3 are perfect.

ReRoot

This trail was formerly know as Root Canal but due to private property issues it was rerouted. Hence the name ReRoot. Post fuels treatment is has been realigned in places again. I wonder if we should call it ReReRoot? It starts on the left (south) as you start down West Mag road from the Peak 2 Peak. It is full of little features including rock obstacles, berms, and jumps.

How’s Your Aspen Alley

eBrake approved as one of the coolest climbs/descents in the West Magnolia area. You used to be completely surrounded by thick aspen groves – now slightly thinner due to the fuels treatment work. A great way to connect Peak to Peak to the Haul Rd parking area.

Sugar Mag

The recommended route to access the West Magnolia network of trails, from Nederland. Slightly technical in spots, it provides for a challenging climb or exciting descent.

Bike: Mountain

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Mud Lake is a place to take the family. It’s full of easy access trails to take the dogs (on leash) or mountain bike with the family. While there are technical sections and some fast descents, it is the trail system with the most moderate terrain around. There is plenty of beautiful scenery, small lakes/ponds, and picnic tables to relax and enjoy it all.

This is also the most popular location to ride fat bikes in the snowy months because of its moderately undulating terrain and ease of access.

Access to these trails is only a mile or two from Tin Shed, making it a crowd favorite.. because no matter the weather, a hot coffee and respite from the elements is only a hop, skip, and jump away.

Bike: Road

Difficulty: Hard

Length: 35 mi round trip

A beautiful seasonal road bike ride starting in the heart of Nederland, Co at Tin Shed Sports / Salto, passing through Ward, Co and topping out at Brainard Lake. This ride has fantastic views of the plains, the Continental Divide, Mt. Evans, High Alpine Lakes, and plenty of wild life… In fact, you’re almost guaranteed to see Moose on this ride.

As this ride takes you along the Peak to Peak Highway, be mindful of traffic especially when turning left from P2P into Brainard Lake.

Also, as Brainard Lake is in a high alpine environment, the road to the lake generally opens in late June and is open through mid October (weather depending). Bring a strong set of lungs, plenty of snacks and water.

This ride starts at ~8,300ft and summits at ~10,500ft. It has just under 3,900 ft of climbing, most of which is in the first 17 miles of the ride. We rate it 4 out of 5 on the difficulty scale.

The effort is absolutely worth it. It’s a fantastic ride.

Bike: Mountain

Difficulty: EXTREME

Length: 37 miles to Winter Park

Nearby City: Rollinsville, CO

This ride is not for the faint of heart or for the unprepared. The route is best started from either Rollinsville or the Moffat Tunnel East Portal but the hardest part is the pass itself. The pass rises well above tree-line and tops out at 12,000ft of elevation. With that in mind, be sure and check the weather and start as early as possible to avoid afternoon thunderstorms and dangerous riding conditions. This route is only accessible from July to September.

From the “base” of the climb near the Moffat Tunnel - East Portal, the route starts as a rough dirt and rock double track trail winding up with endless ruts, loose rock, and switchbacks. The farther up you get, the more the trail deteriorates, and the more technical and challenging the riding becomes; not to mention the sheer lack of oxygen from the elevation gain. As the difficulty of the riding increases, so does the magnitude and beauty. There are many scenic overlooks, resting spots, and campsites along the way, but the best place to stop and rest is at the Yankee Doodle Lake which is almost 10 miles in and 1600ft above the base of the climb. The lake is only about halfway to the top, and could be a good turnaround if needed.

The climb keeps going, the rocks keep getting bigger and looser, and the air continues to thin. There are a few different options depending on how adventurous and capable you are feeling, but the famous Trestle Bridges are often one of the highlights of the ride if you can make it to them. There is a hike-a-bike section up around the Needle’s Eye Tunnel and then some singletrack riding at the top of the mountain before it connects back to the rugged road of old. That “road” will take you to the famed bridges, which are just before the top of the pass.

From the top, you can either descend the west side into Winter Park to rest up for the return ride the following day, or carefully pick your way through the rocks and treacherous terrain on the east side (the side you just rode up) back to town or your car.

Disclaimer: Do not attempt this ride unless you are an expert rider with the best fitness abilities and top level skills. There are no services of any kind on this route. Be prepared and be safe, or please do not attempt. The climb is brutal yet beautiful.. and the descent is even more treacherous as you have to pick your way through loose rock, boulders, and ruts. A full-suspension mountain bike is HIGHLY recommended.

Bike: Gravel/Road

Difficulty: Moderate

Length: 20mi

This is a moderately difficult gravel loop from Tin Shed Sports.

It starts rolling out of town on the gravel “Peakview” climb in order to avoid the busy paved switchbacks that climb out of town. This will spit you out on Peak to Peak for less than a quarter mile before you turn left onto Magnolia Rd. This is a scenic and rolling dirt road which connects many of the residents of Nederland to town.

After a few miles, you’ll take a right down CR97 which is a twisty little dirt cutoff which winds down to Coal Creek Canyon. You’ll turn right onto the canyon road for a little jaunt over to South Beaver Creek Road. This a beautiful dirt road which climbs ever-so-slightly for about 4.5 miles.

You’ll then turn right, back onto a little paved section of Peak to Peak and to the highest altitude of the ride (9,000ft). Take a left onto Gilpin Road which connects to Lump Gulch. This section is hard-pack dirt, quiet, and has some beautiful views.

Then it’s the rolling and beautifully smooth Peak to Peak Highway through Rollinsville and all the way back to town. If you need a mid-ride refresh, Rollinsville has a little grocery, brewery + coffee, and distillery.

If you want a little extra credit, do an out-and-back on Tolland Road just west of Rollinsville. It’s another beautiful false-flat dirt climb which opens up into a magnificent mountain vista and eventually dead-ends at the historic Moffat Tunnel. The train tunnel was built in 1928 and is over 6 miles long. It allows trains access to Winter Park and beyond. The beauty of the road, and the history of the tunnel, make it well worth the extra effort if only you can spare the time.