Name: Rocky Mountain High Trail
Rating: 4.0

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Plan in onX Backcountry

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Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Allowed

Features Technical

You'll need a CO Parks and Wildlife pass to park a vehicle. Day passes are self-pay and cost $9 (cash-only) Beware of hiker-only trails.

Overview

A technical mountain biker's dream, this loop couples crushingly steep, rock and root strewn climbing with a blazing, rowdy descent. This is the perfect "short lap" at Golden Gate as it's closer to town and has great variety. But don't let the mileage fool you...this is a butt-kicker!

Need to Know

Avoid this loop if you're not interested in very technical challenges and/or pushing your bike uphill.
Understatement. This trail needs serious work it is completely washed out.

Description

Ride clockwise. Park at either Nott Creek or Bridge Creek. The south side is exposed and rolling and the backside is rocky, technical and fun as can be. This one can be linked with other mountain bike friendly trails as well.

Starting at Nott Creek, head south out of the parking lot. Until you hit the doubletrack, this portion of the trail is exposed and loose, then it rolls a little with easy technical features. Speed down the doubletrack over the creek and start climbing past the lake, cabin, and camp sites. Once the singletrack turns back to doubletrack, the climb becomes more technical.

When you reach the saddle at the top of the climb, the ride changes quite a bit. You'll end up on a rocky, rooted, bombed out technical trail that zooms you through the woods and over a creek multiple times. There are many stream crossings, some rideable, some not so much. Once you hit doubletrack again it's pretty much over and you grind back to the car.

Don't forget to pay the State Park!