Jones Park isn't easy to get to...but it is certainly worth the effort. Jones is one of the Springs' higher elevation rides (tops out just above 10K') so you'll want to wait until late spring or early summer to ride this on a non-fatbike. It is usually rideable well into the fall. It is also open to motorcycles, so there are lots of bumps and loose gravel.
The trail features sweet berms, tight aspens, rock gardens and phenomenal scenery. It follows the drainage of Bear Creek and finishes at the junction of Upper Buckhorn #667 and
Bear Creek Trail #666. Rideing out on
Bear Creek Trail #666 to High Drive will relieve you of suffering through the gravel-fest on the ridge, but you'll miss out on a few overlooks that are great options for 'selfies' and the chance to finish the ride with
Captain Jack's. USGS Topos will list Jones' as #667.
(Rerouted 2016 from Bear Creek)
Getting to the top is the challenge. You can ride up Jones' as an out-and-back with access via
Bear Creek Trail #666 or Upper Buckhorn #667.
You can also access it via
Gold Camp Road /
Old Stage Road as a shuttle or LONG loop. You'll take
Gold Camp Road until you pass the Wye Campground, then ride north on FS Rd 379 to the trailhead for FS Tr 701. 701 will contour the east side of Baldy Peak and drop into Jones at a 3-way intersection. Turn left and climb up the last few hundred feet to maximize the DH experience, or turn right, lower your saddle, and charge down to town.
Other creative and painful ways exist to access Jones Park, but these are the most common. It is also possible to link it up with Elk Park,
Captain Jack's and the
Chutes to create an epic downhill party that ends with a pint at one of Colorado Springs multiple microbreweries.
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