Mud Lake | Discreet Glissando

Trailhead Parking: N39°58.745’ W105°30.490’

As a music student I learned many things but none more important than dynamics.  Discreet glissando, a lazy stroll up and down the staff, distinct notes in perfect time, or not, smooth transitions from one note to the next as if falling forward without falling down.  Mud Lake is one of the smoothest riding trails in the area with easy transitions and a flow sure to carry you on your own dynamic journey through Caribou country.

This is a short 'cadenza' but it is so gentle you can ride it multiple times so when you leave you'll be a Mud Lake expert.  From the intersection of 28th and Canyon Drive in Boulder it will be less than an hour before nobby hits Dirt and you're on your way.  You'll enjoy the drive along Boulder Canyon which follows Boulder Creek all the way up to Barker Reservoir in the old mining town of Nederland Colorado.  From here you catch Hwy 72 to County Road 126 (Caribou Ranch).  The short road to Mud Lake trailhead is well marked, you can't miss it.

Before you begin grab a map from the kiosk and keep it handy for quick reference.  From the parking area catch the Mud Lake link for 0.10 miles to the first trail junction.  I went left for a short distance then right along the west end of Mud Lake but notice that this trail loops around Mud Lake so don't forget to try this loop too.  Moose frequent the area but I wasn't lucky enough to catch a glimpse this time.  At 0.30 miles I went right on Tungsten Loop.  On my Garmin page the climb looks steep but it is so gradual even a beginner could do this loop more than once.

The trail is so well marked and the tread is wide double track for most of the 'movement' with some singletrack down the Caribou link.  If you think you're lost, stop and see if you can find the blue diamond plates affixed to the trees, they should all be visible from each other and will help you stay on track.  

The trails are groomed to perfection to accommodate just about any type of tire.  There is a link trail at 0.43 miles to Kinnickinnick Loop and once on the loop I went left towards the south end of the trail.  The climbing continues for another 0.59 miles before leveling off.  There are some spectacular views on the way up so keep that camera handy.  The scent of ponderosa and lodgepole pine fills the air as a cool 'harmonic' breeze swept through the forest.  It gets a little rocky but nothing much bigger than a softball.  There is nothing I love more than to put my tires to good use and this tread gave me a little of everything.  At the summit there is a bench with a great view of the Rockies, will make the perfect Christmas card photo.

From 1.08 miles, get ready because here comes the thrill we mountain bikers crave.  It will be 'pastoral' for those bombers out there but for someone with just a little mountain biking experience, it will put a smile on your face a mile wide.  I let the wheels roll but some of the loose tread forced me into braking early.  There aren't any cliffs but there are a lot of trees so be careful and use your brakes skillfully.

At 1.54 miles you reconnect with the link trail that will take you back to the Tungsten loop.  Of course there's no rule against 'reprise' so go for it if the mood strikes you.  I headed back to Tungsten loop then down the Caribou Ranch link.  At the bottom you'll come across a wide pedestrian bridge before the climb.  This climb is also gentle but perhaps a bit more difficult than the first, especially for those from lower elevations.  The 0.74 miles up to the Caribou Ranch Open Space trailhead is so worth the trip.  The trail ends here so I turned back at 2.50 miles for the ride down.  This leg will have your adrenaline pumping again so give it a shot if you can. 

Before you head out click on connect.garmin.com/activity/318649430 to get a feel for the trail.  It looks harder than it is so don't let the mapping scare you.  This is a 'sonata' of trails with enough to satisfy most recreational mountain bikers.  Give it a try next time you're in the Boulder area, you'll be so glad you did.

Thanks for checking in and have a great ride.  Alan