Marshall Mesa | Doudy Draw

One of the best things about living in Boulder County are the abundance of riches in terms of mountain bike trials and most only a song or two away from home.  South Boulder is one area where stress goes to die.  Marshall Mesa and Doudy Draw have a number of routes to choose from that are sure to satisfy the most discerning tastes.  For example, you can begin at the Greenbelt Plateau trailhead and traverse the high plains for that single-track craving or pedal out of the Flatirons Vista trailhead for a more intimate setting.  The Doudy Draw trailhead gives you access to the whole area including the Spring Brook loop or if you’re more daring you can test your climbing skills up Rattlesnake Gulch up in Eldorado Canyon which is just a short ride up Eldorado Springs Drive.  For me, this stormy afternoon I chose the Coalton trailhead off McCaslin Blvd and Coalton Road (trailhead) as my starting point to add a little distance to my ride.

From here the ride begins on very wide double track with one short climb.  For beginners or those from lower altitudes this climb could be a little taxing but stick with it because it gets so much better.  The double track continues to the 2.84 mile mark before turning west on some very cool single-track.  The trail gets narrow at times which is great for testing your balance and when you add rolling downhill’s it makes for one heck of a ride.  You’re fully exposed here and the rain and the wind this afternoon luckily was void of any lightning otherwise it would have been a really short ride.  This whole area hosts a number of cattle so please remember to close the cattle gates behind you.

Once through I crossed highway 93 at the Greenbelt Plateau trailhead and onto Doudy Draw.  At the 6.78 mile mark is another highlight of this ride and although it’s short it is a favorite for many mountain bikers with a gentle slope as you thread down a ridge overlooking the Boulder Flatirons.  Here you’ll encounter the only real climb, in the opposite direction, but don’t worry because it’s short and can be a little tricky on the way down because there are rocks along the way so be careful.

I hooked up with the Spring Brook loop and chose to go left.  Thinking back I should have gone right since I have yet to map this section in that direction.  Oh well, good thing this whole area is only minutes from my house.  The tread is mostly hard packed Dirt and Flatirons Vista has it's fair share of gravel and rock so be prepared you hard tails.

The afternoon was cold and wet but as long as you’re prepared (rain jacket) there isn’t much that can ruin a day of mountain biking in Boulder County.  Click here for the trail profile and feel free to leave a comment on this trail or any other for those who haven’t yet had the pleasure.  Thanks for clicking in and I hope to see you out on the trail.

Dirt Life