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Foothills - Maxwell Loop

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 3.9 (72)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Front Range
  4. …Fort Collins
  5. Pineridge Natural Area
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“A great after work flowy/technical singletrack ride with amazing views of Horsetooth Reservoir. ”

Bryan Vernetson
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5.9

Miles

9.4

KM

70%

Singletrack

5,659' 1,725 m

High

5,193' 1,583 m

Low

658' 200 m

Up

656' 200 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

14%

Max Grade (8°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Not Allowed

This trail is rideable all year, but can close due to muddy conditions after snow.

Overview

Great short ride with flowing singletrack and some technical uphill sections. All rideable and a blast to ride after work with friends. Great views of Horsetooth Reservoir and Lory State Park across the way.

Description

Park at Maxwell Natural Area and ride north behind what is left of Hughes Stadium. You cross over the Foothills Trail and continue up through a small valley to Rotary Park past the "A". Then ride up to the overlook north of Rotary's parking lot and link up with the Shoreline trail that dips down to the reservoir and continues north.

Once you make it to the parking lot with swimming area you'll double back and head south back to the meadow at the top of the Maxwell uphill section. Head back down the way you came back to the Maxwell Natural Area parking lot.

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:

Bryan Vernetson with improvements by Derek Louis and 1 other
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  3.9 from 72 votes

#1

in Pineridge Natural Area

#271

Overall
  3.9 from 72 votes
5 Star
25%
4 Star
51%
3 Star
15%
2 Star
7%
1 Star
1%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Pineridge Natural Area

#89

in Colorado

#271

Overall
49 Views Last Month
15,284 Since Jun 28, 2013
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
1%
1%
34%
24%
38%
1%
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Photos

The post that separates Foothill and Maxwell trails. Go right and up the hill to Rotary Parking lot. Cross over CR23
Jun 16, 2020 near Laporte, CO
Looking northwest at Horsetooth - summer 2020 during the fires.
Oct 12, 2020 near Laporte, CO
Head left on the re-entry to foothills trail, down hill and next to the lake all the way back.
Jun 16, 2020 near Laporte, CO
The first of a few rock stairways as you head back to Sunrise Parking lot.
Jun 16, 2020 near Laporte, CO
The view south from near the top of Maxwell Trail
Jul 20, 2013 near Laporte, CO
Maxwell Natural Area
Nov 25, 2015 near Laporte, CO

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 50 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Apr 13, 2024
Brian Hottinger
Feb 2, 2024
Matt K
From and to house 90 minutes — 1h 30m
Aug 9, 2023
Mitchell Zombek
Great after work romp sesh!
Jul 7, 2023
Zachary Horton
fun ride 5.9mi
May 21, 2023
John Needles
Jun 23, 2022
Alex Verachtert
5.9mi — 0h 56m
Jun 19, 2022
Amalia Mason
Apr 18, 2022
Jack Huun

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