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Mt Carbon Trail

Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
 3.7 (155)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Front Range
  4. …Lakewood
  5. Bear Creek Lake Park
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“Singletrack that circumnavigates Bear Creek Lake Park. ”

Leslie Kehmeier
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Map Key

7.2

Miles

11.5

KM
Singletrack

5,765' 1,757 m

High

5,515' 1,681 m

Low

557' 170 m

Up

532' 162 m

Down

3%

Avg Grade (2°)

20%

Max Grade (12°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Allowed

Need to Know

Bear Creek Lake Park is has a $10 entrance fee (annual passes are available). Alternatively, there is free parking on Soda Lakes Road just to the west of C470. You can bike in from there via the sidewalk along Morrison Road and start at the picnic area on the western side of the loop.

Description

The Mt Carbon Loop is fast rolling, smooth singletrack that tours Bear Creek Lake Park.

Starting from the south side near the Hwy 285 and Simms interchange, the trail descends the slope of Mt Carbon itself and then across a flat area towards the trees.

Stay right at the fork and head north up a short hill, crossing a road before descending again towards Bear Creek. Stay left at the intersection with Cottonwood Trail. The singletrack cruises through a grassy field before hitting a doubletrack.

From here punch up a short steep climb and stay right on the trail that parallels the road. You'll be heading west now looking at the foothills. Just before the paved road the trail turns right and passes quickly through the trees before crossing the bridge across the creek. Make a sharp right here.

This section of the Mt Carbon Loop is mostly flat, sometimes sandy, but always fun. It's shaded and travels close to the creek - the best place to be on a hot day.

As the trail approaches the lake, look for the fisherman's trail and bear left across the field towards the road. After crossing it, ride up a short hill and then stay right onto a trail that parallels the road again. Follow this around to the other side of the dam road, along the golf course.

The final part of the loop climbs from the maintenance yard of the golf course to the top of Mt Carbon. The grade is moderate and never very steep. As you reach the top, enjoy the views of Mt Morrison to the west.

Continue past the high point and descend to an intersection, bearing left to finish the loop.

Contacts

Local Club: Colorado Mountain Bike Association

Land Manager: City of Lakewood, CO - Parks and Open Space

Shared By:

Leslie Kehmeier with improvements by Tyler Gunn and 2 others
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  3.7 from 155 votes

#1

in Bear Creek Lake Park

#81

Overall
  3.7 from 155 votes
5 Star
21%
4 Star
41%
3 Star
31%
2 Star
8%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#1

in Bear Creek Lake Park

#37

in Colorado

#81

Overall
56 Views Last Month
39,444 Since Mar 8, 2013
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
20%
20%
59%
1%
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0%
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Photos

Start of the newly-built connector goes northwest over small bridge.
Nov 15, 2021 near Morrison, CO
Chilly beauty is easy to find during a wintertime ride on the Mt Carbon Loop
Dec 17, 2016 near Morrison, CO
Another look at the final straightaway
Apr 29, 2014 near Morrison, CO
Frozen Bear Lake and Red Rocks on background
Dec 20, 2019 near Morrison, CO
Denver donwtown Skyline on the background
Dec 20, 2019 near Morrison, CO
View to the west from above Bear Creek Lake
Nov 25, 2012 near Morrison, CO

4 Comments

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Bad / Closed 38 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Jan 15, 2025
Atsuko Ohtake
Jun 9, 2024
J Peterson
Apr 7, 2024
Blake Wasli
Mar 31, 2024
Evie Burr
Downhill was scary, first mtb ride! — 1h 21m
Dec 19, 2023
Atsuko Ohtake
Oct 7, 2023
Andy Ratana
Sep 9, 2023
Greg Friess
Great Ride 10.1mi — 1h 16m
Aug 12, 2023
Kevin Burt
Got a bit lost on the back part just before the golf course. 8mi — 10h 00m

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