REVIEWS DEALS BIKESHOPS TRAILS

Estes Park biking

1317 Views 14 Replies 8 Participants Last post by 3sigma, Jun 25, 2009

sandbagger

Discussion Starter · Jun 21, 2009

I did a search and found some info, but it was confusing and didn't answer all of my questions.

I am going to be in Estes, staying at the YMCA, for a wedding this weekend. Would love to hit a trail on Saturday, preferably one that would not require a car (but if it's worth it to drive somewhere, definitely willing to do that). Looking for no more than a 2-3 hour ride, as I'll probably be hurting from Friday night and the wedding is Saturday afternoon. Also, if it's dog friendly that would be a bonus, as the pooch likes to ride too, but if he can't come so be it.

Summary of preferences:
1) Sweet singletrack
2) 3 hours or less
3) bike from the YMCA
4) dog friendly

Is it possible? I know that Estes is not a great place for bikes or dogs, but they won't switch the wedding location for me.

1 - 15 of 15 Posts

onbelaydave

· #2 · Jun 21, 2009

There's nothing that can be biked to/ from the Y, other than pavement or gravel road in under 3 hrs

Crosier Mtn is the closest ST, although that will require a car and is pretty techy in spots, but is an awesome ride that can be done in that time frame.

If you really want to sandbag it, have somebody drive you to the top of Trail Ridge Road at dawn, and then coast down from 12,000' to the Y.

I got lucky last weekend. My son's wedding was a 5 min drive down to Dadd's Gulch up Poudre Cyn.. My oldest brother and his family are all trail runners so I ride and they'd run the trail the 3 mornings we were up there.

sandbagger

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jun 22, 2009

Thanks! I don't mind driving if a ride meets the other criteria. Is Crosier Mt dog friendly? I saw it mentioned in a previous thread, but there wasn't any info available for it. Do you know if there's any trail map available locally?

onbelaydave

· #4 · Jun 22, 2009

Yes, you can take your dog off leash to Crosier... although it is one of a few places around here that I've actually seen a Mtn. Lion.

ignazjr

· #5 · Jun 22, 2009

Hey Sandbagger. Lots of good riding around Estes but you've got to drive to it from where you're staying. Crosier is great. You should also check out Lion Gulch. Both Lion Gulch and Crosier are pretty physical trails with mucho technical. I love them but it depends on what you define as "sweet" for singletrack ;

Pabs

· #6 · Jun 22, 2009

You could also ride up the dirt road to the top of Trail Ridge.

Jdub

· #7 · Jun 22, 2009

Pabs said:
You could also ride up the dirt road to the top of Trail Ridge.

aka - Fall River Road

LyNx

· #8 · Jun 22, 2009

As a total outsider to the US, I can say, without a doubt that Crosier was an absolutely fun, tech ride that I thoroughly enjoyed when I rode it last summer. You have to work a good bit, but the DH is uber fun stuff.

sandbagger said:
Thanks! I don't mind driving if a ride meets the other criteria. Is Crosier Mt dog friendly? I saw it mentioned in a previous thread, but there wasn't any info available for it. Do you know if there's any trail map available locally?

onbelaydave

· #9 · Jun 23, 2009

You could also ride up the dirt road to the top of Trail Ridge aka - Fall River Road

But that falls in the epic category, not a 2-3 hr ride in time to get to a wedding if your going to do the full loop.

mtn hack

· #10 · Jun 23, 2009

onbelaydave said:
Yes, you can take your dog off leash to Crosier... although it is one of a few places around here that I've actually seen a Mtn. Lion.

Not true. Unless you know of a specific sign on that trail, which I sure do not recall...
"Pets must be on a hand-held leash no longer than six feet at all times in most the wilderness areas. Pets must be restrained or on a leash at all times while in developed recreation areas. Pets (except guide dogs) are not allowed in swimming areas or sanitary facilities. "
From http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/arnf/passes/rules.shtml

onbelaydave said:
Quote:
You could also ride up the dirt road to the top of Trail Ridge aka - Fall River Road

But that falls in the epic category, not a 2-3 hr ride in time to get to a wedding if your going to do the full loop.

This is not necessarily true either. It totally depends on your fitness level. I have done it, and when I was in no particular hurry, in under 3 hours. We left from the visitor center, up Old Fall River Road, and back down Trailridge pavement.

ignazjr

· #11 · Jun 23, 2009

Nah, you can have a dog off leash pretty much anywhere in USFS as long as it is not wilderness and is not a specific recreation area. Crosier is neither.

sandbagger

Discussion Starter · #12 · Jun 23, 2009

Thanks for the info. It was just pointed out to me that the YMCA advertises mt biking trails at the YMCA, I take it these are not worth a damn?

ignazjr

· #13 · Jun 23, 2009

They're ok but nothing that will give you more than 1/2 hr or so of fun

Pabs

· #14 · Jun 23, 2009

onbelaydave said:
But that falls in the epic category, not a 2-3 hr ride in time to get to a wedding if your going to do the full loop.

Not really. It's two hours up if you're just rolling. I bet an hour down.

3sigma

· #15 · Jun 25, 2009

Pets off-leash at Crosier Mtn Park

I sent an e-mail to the Forest Service to get the definitive answer about pets off-leash at Crosier Mtn Park.
Below is the response:

Good Afternoon,

There is no specific Forest Service regulation for leashing a dog on the Crosier Mountain Trail. However, state and county laws do come into play, so if your dog chases wildlife, ignores your commands and runs up to other visitors you need to have him on a leash. There's not much in the way of water on the trail so you'll want to bring some for your pet.

If you have other questions please let me know.

Leslie McFadden
Visitor Information Supervisor
Canyon Lakes Ranger District
Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forest & Pawnee National Grassland
(970) 295-6701 e-mail: [email protected]

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