Little Scraggy Sampler

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Features Flow · Views

This ride features a good five-mile warm-up climb up Nice Kitty, the best 80% of Little Scraggy Trail, with a scenic and fun three-mile descent of Shingle Mill Trail.

A short 1.5-mile jaunt down Route 543 will present an option to parallel the road on Sandy Wash for a half mile or so, ending the ride at the Buffalo Creek Parking Lot.

No parking fee, but a donation is welcome. Expect a total elevation gain closer to 2,800'.

Start at the Buffalo Creek parking lot off of Deckers Rd. Though not required, a cash donation is an option.

Begin ascending Rd 543 to the beginning of the Nice Kitty trailhead. Cross the small foot bridge on the lefthand side and begin the ascent of Nice Kitty. At around mile 4 of Nice Kitty -- just before the tree line -- there's a T-intersection: go right. Take some time to stop and enjoy the panoramic views before heading into the forest.

After five or so miles on NC, you'll reach the Little Scraggy Trail parking lot. LS is one of the best trails on the Front Range for flowing singletrack and beautiful forest. Little Scraggy loop begins just across FS Road 550. Follow the trail clockwise. Expect the first 5.5 miles to be a gentle, flowing combination of mostly ascent as well as beautiful and rideable granite features.

The final two miles of ascent picks up in technicality and steepness a little bit before a thrilling three-mile descent. Half-way down, you'll encounter a lookout to pause and rest with excellent views. A little further down, you'll come up to a first T-intersection: take a right onto the Colorado Trail. Follow this for a couple miles until eventually reaching a second T-intersection for Shingle Mill Trail. Make a left here and continue for the next three miles down the flowy SM Trail until you reach Rd 543 again.

At the end of SMT, take a right and ride the road for about 1.5 miles. Make a(n optional) left onto Sandy Wash for a last half mile of swoopy singletrack. Sandy Wash will spill back out onto Rd 543, taking you the last half mile or so back to the parking lot.