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USAFA Falcon Trail

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate Intermediate
 4.4 (229)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Front Range
  4. U.S. Air Force Academy
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“Some of the best in-town singletrack in Colorado Springs. ”

The Kraken
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13.1

Miles

21.1

KM

100%

Singletrack

7,402' 2,256 m

High

6,658' 2,029 m

Low

1,330' 405 m

Up

1,338' 408 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

13%

Max Grade (7°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Unknown

Subject to US Air Force Academy access restrictions, ID is required. Auto access from South and North Gate of USAFA. Entry via car may be subject to a look inside your vehicle. Please don't hassle the guards, they're just doing their jobs.

USAFA Natural Resources confirmed in April 2021 that no "buddy system" is required and that this has not been enforced for more than two years.

Hours of 0530-2200 are enforced for non-military.

usafa.edu/visitors/getting-…

Overview

This fantastic singletrack loop trail tours the grounds of the US Air Force Academy. Rebuilt about ten years ago, it boasts long climbs, flowy singletrack downhills, and beautiful views as it crosses high prairie and low mountain woodland terrain. A couple of short, moderately technical sections add interest.

Rideable by advanced beginners, it's still a favorite of the veteran riders in town.

Need to Know

1. Photo IDs are required on the USAFA. Although it is improbable that you'll get stopped by the Security Police while riding, the weight savings would not be worth the mind-boggling hassle that would result if you were stopped or if you got injured. Play it safe and ensure that you always carry a government-issued photo-ID.

2. Also, the stadium trailhead can be accessed by non-DOD visitors using the South and North Gate to USAFA. There are additional gates that can be set up for special events (football games, graduation, etc.) that a military ID will be required to go through. Parking at the stadium is usually the best option.

3. The USAFA is closed to non-DOD visitor traffic after 10:00 p.m., so plan accordingly. See usafa.edu/visitors/getting-… for details.

4. Finally, biking access is restricted during USAFA Football games, so check online to ensure you avoid these times.

Description

This is one of the best known and ridden loops in Colorado Springs. Most commonly, riders start at the main trailhead located immediately north of the US Air Force Academy's football stadium. Although it is feasible to start at the nearby B-52 monument, the connector between the B-52 and the main loop is not well-maintained. The main trailhead is now located just over Academy Drive, north of the stadium. This trailhead is recognizable by the number of trucks and SUVs with bike racks parked helter-skelter in the gravel lot. The actual trail emerges from the treeline immediately west of the parking area.

No matter which direction you go, the trail is 95% singletrack and all on dirt. The trail covers rolling terrain, with climbs and fun descents. You'll end up generally climbing to the high point on the west side of the Academy grounds, about 1,400 feet above the start of the loop. There are a few road and stream crossings, but it's hard to miss the trail. From there, it's mostly downhill, with a few climbs to keep you honest, back around the loop to where you started.

Traditionally, the Falcon Trail (FT) is ridden in the clockwise direction to avoid too many sudden head-on meetings on the fast descents, although it can be ridden both ways without incident if one is attentive. When starting from this trailhead in a clockwise (south) direction, the FT immediately starts to climb gradually up through a pine forest behind the USAFA Football Stadium before climbing up and down over several ridgelines. After crossing Pine Drive, the trail descends towards West Monument Creek, which it crosses several times over the next three miles. This portion of the trail has been much improved since ~2015 with multiple bridges and strategic reroutings to avoid worn-out areas. One new improvement is a split in the trail labeled "The Easy Way" (called here the Falcon Trail south spur) that gives riders the option to avoid the one small technical section on the FT. That said, riders should be cautious during springtime or rains, because this spur requires several stream crossings which 99% of the time will result in wet feet or worse.

From West Monument Creek, the FT climbs via several switchbacks to its highest point at the Stanley Canyon Trail. From that point, the trail is characterized by several fun, curvy descents and shorter climbs that eventually brings you back to the Main Trailhead. The trail concludes with a nice flattish cruise along the USAFA Golf Course.

Once you finish your loop, just head back out to the car. If a 13-mile loop isn't enough, many people do another lap in the other direction. The ride feels very different going the other way, but it's tough to say which way is "better".

History & Background

Originally a private ranch, the US Air Force Academy was built in the 1950s. The Falcon Trail was rebuilt in the early 2000s to IMBA standards.

Contacts

Local Club: Medicine Wheel Trail Advocates

Feb 26, 2024: Use YOUR voice to direct the future of recreation in Colorado: SCORP ’24

Feb 1, 2024: The Trail That Dare Not Speak its Name

Jan 9, 2024: What is going on in North Cheyenne Cañon?

Land Manager: US Air Force Academy

Shared By:

The Kraken with improvements by Joshua Gross and 2 others
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.4 from 229 votes

#1

in U.S. Air Force Academy

#108

Overall
  4.4 from 229 votes
5 Star
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4 Star
38%
3 Star
8%
2 Star
3%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in U.S. Air Force Academy

#33

in Colorado

#108

Overall
113 Views Last Month
58,025 Since Mar 27, 2013
Intermediate Intermediate
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Photos

Climbing the switchbacks near the end of the trail.
Aug 18, 2018 near Air For…, CO
Trelleborg
Aug 11, 2018 near Air For…, CO
Creek Crossing.
Apr 18, 2022 near Air For…, CO
If there is one thing that can make me skid on a trail, it's this. This little fella' held me up for 10 minutes while he (she?) lay across the trail.
Oct 19, 2013 near Air For…, CO
Crossing a creek at Falcon Loop
Aug 11, 2018 near Air For…, CO
Going clockwise- taking the Green Trail- this is where it comes out-cross the creek and this is where the Black route merges.
Jun 28, 2016 near Air For…, CO

15 Comments

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Check-Ins

Oct 28, 2024
Adam Buechley
Beautiful day! Tons of color, few people, it was a really fun way to split my trip back to home from Denver! 13.1mi — 1h 53m
Sep 29, 2024
Brian Long
Jul 28, 2024
Emily F
Jun 14, 2024
Skyler Hager
15mi — 1h 50m
Jun 5, 2024
Chuck Dobbins
13mi
May 21, 2024
Brad Osborn
The climb is difficult, but the descent is well worth it! Hootin' and Hollerin' on those downhill features!
Apr 28, 2024
Chad Riden
Counter clockwise. One wrong turn 13mi — 1h 49m
Apr 9, 2024
Mike Madrid

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