Dogs Leashed
E-Bikes
Not Allowed
Family Friendly
A great intermediate kids route!
Overview
A loop ride through the Highlands at Breckenridge subdivision utilizing
Lower Flume Trail,
Mike's Trail,
Middle Flume Trail, and
Upper Flume Trail. Both
Mike's Trail and the southern end of the
Upper Flume Trail are steep, loose climbs that may be challenging for beginners.
The loop is very well marked. Other than the roadway crossings, way-finding along the route is easy.
This loop is excellent in either direction. Riding it counterclockwise (in the opposite direction of this description) will get most of the climbing out of the way at the beginning of the ride.
Need to Know
The best place to park is the gondola lot. This is a skier parking lot and is free to park in summer. The gondola lot is huge, empty, free, and less than a mile away from the trailhead on a pleasant path along the river. Access to the lot is from N. French Street between Park and Main streets (39°29'13.0"N, 106°02'51.2"W). Ride the bike path (find it along the east side of the parking lot) north along the river, take a right after ~0.5 mile to cross the bridge to the light at Hwy 9 and Huron Road, and continue east along Huron Road up to the trailhead.
Description
From Summit County Road 450 (Huron Road), begin up the
Lower Flume Trail. The trail begins with a steep, but short climb to the flume. Go left and begin on the flume trail, passing the first intersection on the right with the
Upper Flume Trail. The loop will return via the
Upper Flume Trail to this intersection.
The trail contours along the and rolls below the flume before intersecting Highlands Drive. Cross the road onto the continuation of the trail and enter a picturesque meadow. After the meadow the trail continues along the flume, passing closely by several homes then climbs to a trail parallel to Highlands Drive.
At the intersection of
Barney Ford Way and Highlands Drive, go north on Highlands Drive, following the painted bike markings to a post on the right side of the road. Turn right onto the continuation of the
Lower Flume Trail, then turn right immediately onto
Mike's Trail.
Mike's Trail climbs to the
Middle Flume Trail (and also continues up to the
Upper Flume Trail). Turn left onto the
Middle Flume Trail contouring along the flume to Highlands Drive. Cross the road following the painted bike markings down a paved, private drive. Look for the trail continuation on the right side of the drive. Continue on the flume to, and across Spaulding Terrace (another paved road). In a short distance the trail crosses Highlands Drive again, continuing on the flume.
The trail eventually departs from the flume and climbs to, and across
Preston Way (yet another paved roadway). Climb steeply after crossing the road, then around the rear of some homes before entering the forest and crossing several bridges. Pass
Tom's Baby trail on the left and begin a switchbacking climb to a tee intersection with the
Upper Flume Trail.
Turn right and begin back towards the start of the loop. Ride past
Slalom trail on the left, descending through a clear-cut, over a short bridge back to the flume. The trail follows the flume, crossing Golden Age Drive (the last road crossing in the loop) before passing
Mike's Trail on the right in a clear-cut. Eventually, the trail departs from the flume and descends parallel to Forest Hills Drive.
Just above the
Lower Flume Trail, the
Upper Flume Trail passes through a few steep, loose switchbacks and descends to the
Lower Flume Trail. Turn left and descend back to SCR 450.
Contacts
Shared By:
D L
with improvements
by A K
and 1 other
3 Comments