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Ginny Trail via Powerline Trail

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Difficult Difficult
 3.9 (77)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Front Range
  4. …Fort Collins
  5. Bobcat Ridge Natural Area
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“A great technical challege with scenery to make it worth the work. ”

Brook Mooney
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Map Key

9.4

Miles

15.2

KM

85%

Singletrack

6,997' 2,133 m

High

5,433' 1,656 m

Low

1,609' 491 m

Up

1,605' 489 m

Down

6%

Avg Grade (4°)

32%

Max Grade (18°)

Dogs No Dogs

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Watch out for other trail users including equestrian riders. Ascent up Powerline Trail is uphill only, so no turning back.

Overview

In 2000 the Bobcat Gulch fire burned much of what is now the Bobcat Ridge Natural Area. The land is now managed by The City of Fort Collins who have built some excellent trails. Ginny Trail is one of the best kept secrets on The Northern Colorado Front Range.

The climb up Powerline Trail is a doubletrack/fire road through the remnants of the trees left by the Bobcat Gulch fire. At some point during the climb, most people have doubts on whether the effort will be worth it. Fear not, the view looking into Rocky Mountain National Park at the top will affirm that it has all been worth it.

The Views from the top are still just a bonus to the roughly 1700' of technical descent that will get you back to the parking lot. There is an excellent balance between being challenging enough for the veteran riders while not so discouraging to the intermediate riders that they will only remember the parts they walked. The City of Fort Collins has built some skinny logs, bridges, and some fine singletrack overall.

Need to Know

Like most of Colorado, mid-afternoon summers see frequent isolated thunderstorms. Instead of taking Powerline Trail up do Ginny Trail as an out-and-back for an extra challenge.

Description

Head west (toward the mountains) out of the parking lot. When you reach dirt, turn right and ride until you hit the dirt road that should be labelled "Powerline Trail". Go west on Powerline Trail, it will get steep. Go past the sign warning you that the trail is uphill only (for bikes) and that there are "Hazardous sections ahead".

Once things begin to flatten out, you'll reach a T in the trail with singletrack heading in both directions. Don't go right - it is a hiking trail only. To the left is the beginning of Ginny Trail. After a short flat section, you'll begin the final ascent. While this climb is far less steep then Powerline Trail, it is more technical.

When you reach the top you'll traverse across the back side of the mountain and be treated to some great views of Rocky Mountain National Park to the west. When the trail begins to turn back to the east, stop and take a picture.

Now the fun begins, 99.5% of the ride from here is downhill. Watch for alternate lines, skinnys, and rock drops, for added fun. The trail is usually not busy and it's generally wide open so it's easy to see approaching hikers and uphill riders. The trail takes you straight back to the parking lot as long as you keep you bike pointed downhill.

Contacts

Local Club: Overland Mountain Bike Club

Jan 10, 2024: Mountain Biking in Northern Colorado this Winter

Land Manager: City of Fort Collins, Colorado

Shared By:

Brook Mooney with improvements by Ben Emmert-Aronson
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  3.9 from 77 votes

#1

in Bobcat Ridge Natural Area

#234

Overall
  3.9 from 77 votes
5 Star
25%
4 Star
48%
3 Star
19%
2 Star
8%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Bobcat Ridge Natural Area

#77

in Colorado

#234

Overall
65 Views Last Month
23,316 Since Jun 29, 2013
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5%
3%
80%
13%
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Photos

Looking east from Ginny Trail, enjoy the view before tackling the descent.
Feb 26, 2017 near Loveland, CO
Riding some skinnies on Ginny!
Jun 12, 2017 near Loveland, CO
Dropping IT! On the Ginny Trail.
May 14, 2015 near Loveland, CO
Being humbled on Ginny.
May 6, 2019 near Loveland, CO
The climb up Powerline Trail is worth it for the Ginny downhill that follows!
Jun 12, 2017 near Bellvue, CO
There are lots of fun optional rock features on Ginny!
Jun 12, 2017 near Loveland, CO

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Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 68 days ago
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Check-Ins

Nov 3, 2024
Eric Breer
With Tom Matt hall and Aidan
May 11, 2024
Max Perry
kicked our asses 9.4mi
Nov 12, 2023
Tim Tonk
did DR trail up instead of Powerline 11mi — 2h 00m
Sep 21, 2022
Adam G
Solid ride, chunky monkey 10mi — 2h 00m
Jul 14, 2022
Jen Trask
tough fire road up, good downhill 9.6mi
Nov 6, 2021
Tim Young
9.5mi — 2h 00m
May 30, 2020
Ryan Muchmore
May 15, 2020
Bob Rafferty
Down hill was a blast!! 9.4mi

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