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Chutes - Gold Camp Rd - Buckhorn - Captain Jack's

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 4.4 (173)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Front Range
  4. …Colorado Springs
  5. Stratton Open Space Trails
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“A classic tour of Cheyenne Canyon - a long, scenic climb up followed by a classic downhill. ”

The Kraken
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Map Key

13.8

Miles

22.3

KM

65%

Singletrack

8,227' 2,508 m

High

6,252' 1,906 m

Low

2,004' 611 m

Up

2,002' 610 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

18%

Max Grade (10°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Unknown

Overview

One of the rides that makes Colorado Springs a great place to ride. It starts at the edge of town, climbs into the foothills, then descends back down the famous Captain Jack's trail, followed by the Chutes.

Description

Park at the Ridgeway parking lot, then head up the Chutes to the top at Gold Camp Road. Follow Gold Camp (an old railroad grade) several miles. This road is a very steady climb. It starts out paved at the top of the Chutes trail, then quickly turns to dirt as you head uphill. After another mile or so you'll pass the parking lot at the bottom of Captain Jack's trail, just before entering Tunnel #1. (Off to the left before the tunnel is the Spring Creek trail, which connects to Columbine Trail)

A few more miles and another tunnel later, you'll reach the parking lot at the top of the Cheyenne Canon paved road. Continue through the lot, through the metal gate, and you'll soon reach the bottom of Buckhorn trail. If you make a sharp turn left on the road at the end of the canyon, you've gone too far.

Take the right fork up Buckhorn - after a short, technical climb, the trail makes a sharp right turn to the east and continues uphill. Just keep on climbing until you reach the saddle. Turn right at the saddle, follow the ridgeline and you'll be rewarded with a view of the entire canyon. From here it's a moderately techy run down to High Drive and the start of Captain Jack's trail.

Captain Jack's is wide singletrack, very fast, with just a few short uphill sections. There aren't any intersections to worry about, so let it rip! Turn right, follow Captain Jack's along the ridgeline, then down to cross High Drive.

Continue down Jack's to the bottom, where it exits out onto Gold Camp Road next to tunnel #1. Return home down through the Chutes.

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?

Shared By:

The Kraken
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.4 from 173 votes

#1

in Stratton Open Space Trails

#100

Overall
  4.4 from 173 votes
5 Star
60%
4 Star
29%
3 Star
8%
2 Star
3%
1 Star
1%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Stratton Open Space Tr…

#31

in Colorado

#100

Overall
114 Views Last Month
51,340 Since Mar 28, 2013
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
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Photos

Climbing Columbine Trail.
May 14, 2016 near Manitou…, CO
Beautiful climb to 6919 ft of altitude and then a fantastic chutes decent.
Jul 15, 2020 near Colorad…, CO
Shredding Cpt. Jacks in the snow
Mar 1, 2019 near Manitou…, CO
A fun day on one of the best rides in Colorado Springs.
Nov 16, 2017 near Colorad…, CO
Top of buckhorn Loop entering the downhill of Capt'n Jacks!
Jul 3, 2014 near Manitou…, CO
Facing west
Jun 15, 2024 near Manitou…, CO

17 Comments

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All Clear 40 days ago
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Check-Ins

Jul 8, 2024
Dave Drew
May 25, 2024
Brian Weiss
Sep 9, 2023
Matthew Nicholas
Very scenic trail. Lots of loose stuff, but some awesome canyon banks "chutes" 14mi — 3h 20m
Jul 25, 2023
Dave Deka
May 17, 2023
Lindsy Jones
Apr 13, 2023
NakitaPJ
chutes with Megan 6mi — 1h 32m
Apr 11, 2023
Scott Chico
Great ride with Aubyn. — 3h 37m
Oct 2, 2022
Dan 60D5H411
With Owen, Eliana, Tina and Kip

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