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No biking on the west side of Reynolds Park.
Overview
This is a brand-new singletrack built 2014 by Jefferson County on JeffCo/Private/Pike Forest land. This ride consists of long sustained climbs and downhills. It can be ridden as an out-n-back or as a lollipop when combining the trail with the offerings in Reynolds Park. You are constantly rewarded with great views of the South Platte Valley and Pike National Forest, as well as the sounds of the river below.
Need to Know
Use bug spray and long sleeves/arm/leg warmers to keep the vegetation from smacking you in the arms and legs. The growth in some areas has taken over the trail!
Description
I found the best way to ride this trail is from the parking area at its lowest point - along the north fork of the South Platte River. By parking here you'll have driven past Reynolds Park which is the high point of the ride.
From the parking lot you'll start a mellow climb through scattered ponderosa pine and an abundance of pretty much every type of wildflower in the state (when I went early July). The trail is a rolling climb for the first 7 or so miles - a couple hundred ft. up, then 100ft down - you'll come to some doubletrack for about 1 mile then the trail branches back off and continues to climb. At approximately mile 8 you start a longer downhill into Reynolds Park. Continue to the intersection of
Hummingbird Trail and take a left to start a fun and fast 1 mile descent to South Foxton Road.
Once you reach the road, you need to ride up Foxton Road for about 0.3 miles and you'll see the
North Fork Trail sign on the right. Climb this for about half a mile. You'll gain about 300ft. and at times you'll be pushing your bike as the trail hits over 33% grade.
Once past the bench, the trail flattens out and then you'll dive back onto the
North Fork Trail. Now back on the
North Fork Trail and heading back to your car, be sure to watch for hikers and other riders as you start bombing this perfectly cut - nearly rock free downhill.
Option: Once in Reynolds Park, doing
Hummingbird Trail counter-clockwise will send you down the steep section but still requires to climb a steep trail to get back up.
Contacts
Shared By:
Lyle Tucker
with improvements
by Jim Fish
and 1 other
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