Rabbit Mountain: They Call Me The Breeze

Great tune by Lynyrd Skynyrd and a great way to describe Rabbit Mountain's Eagle Wind trail.  This is a low impact, low risk trail that is perfect for those novice riders seeking rougher terrain not typically found in town. 

I forgot how much fun Rabbit Mountain was.  The very first time I tried this trail was shortly after moving here from Houston and I remember that I could barely make it 30 yards up the first climb before I had to stop and catch my breath.  Since then I’ve come to appreciate the subtleties of Rabbit Mountain and the Eagle Wind Trail loop.  This trail may not offer much of a challenge to a seasoned rider but for someone who loves rugged terrain it won’t matter.  At a moderate to slow pace this trail will test your balance, line selection and bike control.  My favorite part of this trail is the rugged terrain and mild slopes-once on the Eagle Wind Trail loop. 

From the parking lot you can tell that there is not a lot of atmosphere around the area but don’t be fooled, there is much more to this trail than meets the eye.  The first, and perhaps the only real climb, is right out of the parking lot.  It’s half a mile of well groomed gravel road leading you to the trailhead.  If you’re new to mountain biking or from lower elevation, take it slow and stop if you need to, you don’t want to wear yourself out here.

At 0.51 miles you reach the trailhead, off to the right, leading up to Eagle Wind Trail loop.  For 0.44 miles you have an easy to moderate climb, depending on your skill level, on rugged single-track.  Most rocks are embedded in the trail but there’s still plenty of the loose stuff too.  This trail can get busy with hikers so yield as always although I find that most hikers are happy to yield to bikers.  This section is rather mild by Colorado standards but for a beginner it should start to test your skills.  Also, make sure you have a flat tire repair kit because there can be cactus needles to deal with.

You’ll reach the start of Eagle Wind Trail at 0.95 miles; I chose to go right.  I just love the idea of my tires grabbing the terrain and sinking those nobbies into the dirt, negotiating rocks, pointing that front tire right where it needs to go.  Now it may seem by my description that the trail is a bit too rugged for a beginner but quite the opposite, it is absolutely rideable at any skill level, just remember to wear a helmet.

For the next 1.92 miles you’ll roll over some unique terrain.  You have a lot of embedded rock and they come in a variety of sizes.  With minimal elevation changes, you have a perfect trail to practice line choice and you’ll want to choose the path of least resistance.  From time to time you’ll have the opportunity to shift your weight to get over some of the larger rocks.  Also, pay close attention to your pedals and try to avoid smashing them against the rocks.  Try and keep a steady pace and see if you can make it all the way without setting your feet down.  I found using a wheelie to place your front tire was helpful in a few areas.

At a moderate to slow pace, this is a great trail to also test your balance.  When I’m not on our beautiful trails, I’ll practice my balance in my driveway by bringing my bike to a complete stop and using my weight and handlebars to keep my balance; you will not believe how helpful this is when you’re out on the trail.  Take some time to enjoy the scenery while you're out here and keep your eyes peeled for the occasional Red Tail Hawk or Golden Eagle; they are often seen in this area.

You’ll complete the loop at 2.87 miles.  For a longer ride, try riding back in the opposite direction; should make for a pretty good ride the more mileage you add.  When you finally decide to head down, this section can add some difficulty the more speed you carry-remember to yield to other trail users.  Keep your weight centered and your eyes on the trail, feather the brakes and this should be a piece of cake.

So I’m now at 3.31 miles into my ride and back at the dirt road.  Now all mountain bikers can appreciate the speed and sensation of rolling downhill and you’ll be greeted with an opportunity here to let the good times roll but be very careful because the gravel is loose and you don’t want to lose control here.  Always yield to others and stop if you must to let others go by.

It was a very short but delightful ride and you can follow along at connect.garmin.com/activity/268836312; these maps provide some very useful information and will certainly prepare you for your ride.  Rabbit Mountain is the perfect trail for the new mountain biker and it’s so close to town that you could do a quick run and still be back by lunch.

Thanks for checking in and happy trails....AR