Grading Camp - Johns Loop

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Not Allowed

This loop combines one of the best uphill trails (Chimney Trail) with one of the best downhill trails (Grading Camp), as well as Johns Gulch which is a pretty nice loop by itself. Trail keeps you reasonably close to the parking lot and although rideable in the reverse direction, it's recommended to ride it clockwise.

Thompson Park has evening closing hours depending on the time of year, be sure to check at the gate upon entry. There are facilities such as toilets, picnic tables and fire places.

The route starts on the Sagebrush Flats Parking lot, and climbs up to join the Milwaukee Road, an old railway doubletrack that ties the trails of Thompson Park together.

Head south on the Milwaukee Road about half a mile before turning right on the Chimney Trail (Upper Grading Camp). The bottom of the Chimney Trail can be a little tricky, but after that it is a pretty straight forward ascent with a few short pumpy sections to make it interesting.

Near the top of the Chimney Trail, but just before the actual Chimney, you'll take a right on Grading Camp Trail. This trail will climb some more to the top of a ridge. If you have, there are some really cool boulders and rock formations along the top of this ridge if you walk to the side of the trail. The descent down Grading Camp is moderately steep with tight switchbacks and some easy technical rocky sections. It is arguably the most "downhill trail" in Thompson Park. It will drop you back out onto the Milwaukee Road where you turn left.

After about 0.4 miles heading North on the Milwaukee Road you'll turn left onto the connecting trail to Johns Gulch. It can be easy to miss this junction as the Milwaukee is fast and the junction appears from behind a small cliff without warning.

Johns Gulch is a pleasant loop trail that can be ridden in either direction. The trail is perhaps more commonly ridden in the opposite direction, but this is just as good and it reduces the amount of backtracking. Johns Gulch will take you all the way back to Sagebrush Flats Parking Lot where you started.