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Red Mountain Open Space

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Intermediate Intermediate
 3.9 (14)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Front Range
  4. …Soapstone Prairie
  5. Red Mountain Open Space
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“Red Mountain Open Space in Larimer county. 12 mile loop with 1,500 feet in elevation change. ”

Mike Peebles
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Map Key

12.1

Miles

19.5

KM

100%

Singletrack

7,290' 2,222 m

High

6,268' 1,910 m

Low

1,403' 428 m

Up

1,401' 427 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (3°)

18%

Max Grade (10°)

Dogs No Dogs

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Family Friendly Easy singletrack trail system.

Closed during the winter. No dogs.

Overview

The route ends up completing a 12 mile loop in Red Mountain Open Space. The loop is a non-technical ride with great views. The trail system is located about 30 miles north of Fort Collins so it does take some time to get to the trail.

Need to Know

There's no water at the trailhead so bring plenty to drink.

Description

Start on the Sinking Sun to Rising Sun Connector which is an easy climb to get you going. From there, connect with Big Hole Wash Trail and continue the climb to the Cheyenne Rim Trail. Here you'll find a steady climb up to the top of the ridge. You'll follow this around through flowing prairie.

From the prairie, connect with the Ruby Wash Trail, which is a 2.5 mile descent through beautiful red soil and cliff walls. The upper section is an easy, switch-back descent down the side of the hill into the wash while the lower section follows the normally dry stream bed following the deep red canyon walls.
There is deep gravel when you're in the wash which can make the descent difficult in places.

Watch for the Big Hole Wash Trail, which you'll encounter at the stream. This was the hardest climb of the day due to the thick gravel. Much of this section I couldn't ride. Follow the Big Hole Wash Trail to the east, and then head back to your vehicle via the Sinking Sun Trail and the Rising Sun Trail.

History & Background

For more information visit: fcgov.com/naturalareas/find…

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:

Mike Peebles with improvements by Arthur Roy Brown
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  3.9 from 14 votes

#1

in Red Mountain Open Space

#2288

Overall
  3.9 from 14 votes
5 Star
29%
4 Star
43%
3 Star
21%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
7%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Red Mountain Open Space

#393

in Colorado

#2,288

Overall
29 Views Last Month
8,633 Since Jun 5, 2016
Intermediate Intermediate
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Photos

The golden hour at Red Mountain is amazing.
Sep 10, 2016 near Laporte, CO
Stuck in deep gravel of Big Hole Wash
Nov 10, 2017 near Bellvue, CO
Amazing views !
Aug 30, 2015 near Laporte, CO
Ruby Wash Trail with some snow in November.
Nov 10, 2017 near Bellvue, CO
Climbing up to Cheyenne Rim with the Sinking Sun behind us.
Sep 10, 2016 near Laporte, CO
Contemplating deep gravel of Big Hole Wash Trail
Nov 12, 2017 near Bellvue, CO

3 Comments

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

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Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Apr 8, 2023
grega Albrechtsen
don't do it. still snow on top and sticky muddy on Cheyenne... just wait. you'll thank me.
Oct 5, 2022
Atsuko Ohtake
May 14, 2022
Allen Yeats
Hope it gets cloudy 12mi
May 30, 2021
John Dom
Actually rode on May 29th in morning. — 8h 30m
May 6, 2021
Patrick Schwindt
May 1, 2021
Stephanie Powell
Oct 24, 2020
Matthew Kittredge
Aug 30, 2020
Matthew Kittredge

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