Flatirons Vista: One For All

Flatirons Vista trailhead is just off Highway 93 (S. Foothills Highway) and South of the intersection of Hwy 93 and Hwy 128 (W 120th).  This is a parking fee area so if you wish to avoid the fee (although it does help to keep our parks and open space clean and clear) you may want to consider parking at the Greenbelt Plateau trailhead at the intersection of Hwy 93 and Hwy 128.

It was a very pleasant afternoon, the air temperature was in the 50’s and clouds kept the sun hidden for most of the day.  A bit chilly for shorts with all the cloud cover, but not a big deal if you take a light wind jacket and warm layers up top.

At the trailhead you have two options and I chose to stay left at every trail junction for the first 2 miles or so.  The first mile is a very gradual climb that flattens out as you roll along.  It’s a little rocky but mostly pebbles; your tires could lose a little traction but it's perfect for testing your balance.  At 0.96 you reach your first junction and I stayed left along more rocky tread.  From this point to the 2.33 mile mark you’ll be traveling on rocky tread at first then nice hard pack as you meander through the trees.  This trail is very popular with hikers and their 4-legged friends so please yield to other trail users.

At 2.33 miles, I went left on a slight descent through one of my favorite parts of the trail.  It’s just over a half-mile long but you’ll roll over nice single-track, threading through pine trees as you hug the edge of the Doudy Draw trail.  At the switchback the trail continues at a much steeper slope.  The trail is loose and larger rocks are present so stay in control or dismount if necessary.  This is a good winter practice spot for climbers and I know I really appreciate those who yield as I’m climbing this section.  It isn't long before you reach a short mild climb once past the small bridge at the bottom.  This gentle climb takes you to the next trail junction; left leads you to the Spring Brook loop.  I chose to go right here back down Doudy Draw to the Community Ditch trail.

So now I’m 4.04 miles into my ride and the Community Ditch trail is off to my right.  You'll cross a small bridge over a running stream and this time of year you'll find the surface frozen as water flows underneath.  Head right on a dirt road that runs along this small waterway leading you to a Hwy 93 crossing.  For almost 2 miles you’ll roll along a flat dirt road with spectacular views of the Boulder Flatirons.  The landscape is open with a few head of cattle to lighten up the mood.  Cross over Hwy 93, where you’ll catch the Greenbelt Plateau trail, just to the right across the street.  This can be a busy highway at times so cross with caution.

Throughout this ride you have multiple cattle gates to pass, just make sure you secure them once you’re through.  You’ll have another one here as you catch the Greenbelt Plateau trail.  The trail climbs mildly for 0.76 miles; the trail is well groomed so you shouldn’t have any problems here.  If you’re from lower elevations, a climb like this could be tiresome-I am and it took me a few rides to finally get comfortable but then I am a little asthmatic. 

At 6.63 miles the trail levels off and throughout this section you can either continue on the dirt road or if you’re like me and you can’t get enough single-track, you can take the narrow single-track that follows right along the dirt road.  The trail descends ever so slightly but enough to get your wheels rolling pretty good.  One word of caution though; some rocks will offer minimal clearance between them and at least 3 times my pedals and feet made connection resulting in a toe smash inside my shoe.  Off to the left you'll see Marshall Lake as you make your way to the Greenbelt Plateau trailhead where I went right towards Hwy 93 again.  Cross the Hwy then take the well groomed trail down to the Flatirons Vista parking lot. 

This is a really nice beginner trail with some technical sections that may require a little experience.  If you’re just out for a little fun, you can skip the Doudy Draw, Community Ditch and Greenbelt Plateau sections and go right at the 2.33 mile trail intersection.  Going right will take you back to the Flatirons Vista parking lot and/or the Greenbelt Plateau parking lot.  Check out connect.garmin.com/activity/266350266 for some trail statistics to help you plan your ride.  This is a great ride if you have some visitors coming to town who would enjoy spectacular views of our Boulder Foothills.  Our weather can change in an instant this time of year but when dry conditions exist, you just can’t keep cyclists at home.  Thanks for checking in and hope to see you on the trails.

Alan Romero

Hall Ranch / Prelude to a Fawn

One of my favorite Debussy pieces has to be Prèlude à L’après-midi d’un Faune (Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun).  It's the perfect theme for exploring the outdoors and the perfect soundtrack for my ride this past weekend.

It has been extremely cold lately and the mountain bikes have been hanging in the garage getting little, if any, use.  This weekend however we were greeted with 50 degree weather and I was not going to let this weekend go by without sinking some nobbies into the dirt.  I checked my favorite local websites for trail conditions and I was glad to see a couple of my favorites may be dry and clear.  I decided on Hall Ranch and this time I would map Bitterbrush and Nelson Loop.

The weather was perfect but I still wore some cold weather layers just in case it got cold up top.  In my earlier posts I described the lower half of the trail and this time out was no different.  The first 0.80 miles is well groomed with a couple of rocky areas but nothing too difficult.

At 0.80 miles you cross a service road and begin the most difficult part of the trail.  From here to about the 2 mile mark you’ll cross one heck of a boulder garden with very challenging terrain.  If you’re not used to this type of terrain don’t experiment here, dismount so you can enjoy the rest of the ride.  The service road is restricted to mountain bikers unless you have an emergency so you don’t have much of a choice; just take your time and be careful.

At the top you’ll come up to a nice resting spot with a bench and nice open view of the mountains.  From here to about the 2.5 mile mark you’ll be delighted with a smooth winding downhill speed section.  This is new and we should thank our trail builders for such a fine job.  You can pick up a ton of speed here but please make sure you yield to other trail users and bikes climbing in the opposite direction.  You’ll come to a trail junction with Antelope trail and if you’re going to tackle Nelson Loop you’ll need to go left.

It’s a really smooth open single track up to the 3.82 mile mark.  This steady climb should be no problem unless you’re like me and let your fitness slide over the cold winter days.  The trail is really smooth with very few rocks.  You’ll have a little shade closer to the loop but most of this section is exposed and today the sun was nice and toasty.

You’ll reach the Nelson Loop at the 3.82 mile mark and from here I chose to start the loop to the left.  This is a well groomed mild climb and today snow still covered part of the landscape.  Parts were wet and frozen with little mud-perfect for sinking those waiting nobbies.  At around the 4.25 mile mark you’ll come to a small bridge.  Perched over a small stream, this is a great resting spot with great views so make sure you have your cameras.

The climb will continue for another half mile till you reach the intersection of Nelson Loop and Nighthawk trail at the 5 mile mark.  It was here that I came across a small group of deer enjoying the company of mountain bikers and hikers.  While the bucks retreat to the wooded areas, the fawn’s stood just feet from the trail as I rode by.  At around 4.5 miles I rode down to the Nelson farm house-if this is your first time, take a few minutes to ride down and have a look.

So at the Nighthawk, Nelson Loop intersection the trail heads down.  Today since the trail was under a bit of snow I had to take it a little slower than I normally would.  There aren’t many rocks but it will run through the trees and nobody wants see them up close at high speed.  In the summer this section is one heck of a good time and worth the climb.

At about the 6.25 mile mark you should be back at the trail junction for the descent to the Antelope, Bitterbrush intersection.  You can reach some mind blowing speed just make sure you yield as with all descents.  So you’ll have the final climb back to the resting spot then back down the rock garden-I was tempted to take the service road but I didn’t want to break the rules so back down the hard way.

It was a great afternoon and the perfect escape from the daily grind.  As always, follow along at connect.garmin.com/activity/263899231 and use the map information to plan your next trip.  A little preparation ahead of time can make all the difference.  I wish I had this kind of information back in the day, I can’t tell you how many times my brother and I drove out to ride only to find the terrain far too difficult.

Get out and ride! 

Alan Romero

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD - From Kelly and I