Hobbit Trails | Return to Splendor

Trailhead coordinates: N39°56.795’ W105°31.054’

The Shire is not as Frodo left it before his quest for Mordor.  The vibrant forest that once engulfed the area has suffered from the chain of a saw but not for selfish plight but rather to preserve the forest for generations of Hobbits to come.  Part of the forest may be gone from this once thriving location but the spirit of Middle-Earth remains in some of the finest single-track you’re likely to find in Nederland Colorado.   

West Magnolia and the Hobbit Trails used to lie beneath an abundant pine forest but in recent months deforestation has taken place to rid the area of any fire danger so the first 1.3 miles is fully exposed but the trail is as clear as I remember and still a blast to ride. Temperatures run 10 to 15 degrees cooler up here so even on bright sunny days you'll find the full exposure tolerable.

The first mile or so takes you on ride along meandering single-track over supreme Rocky Mountain terrain.  This section will leave you breathless; without the trees you’re able to enter the turns much faster but be careful because the trail gets loose and the protruding tree stumps litter the area.  At 1.3 miles you’re back in Middle Earth underneath a canopy of towering pine trees.  The trail climbs and descends gently and you’re sure to find all the tight turns intoxicating. 

The tread is rocky but nothing larger than baseball or softball size.  Under the trees the Dirt is what your tires crave; a perfect mix of fine gravel and light soil seasoned with pine needles and the occasional water crossing.  There are short technical climbs that could give you problems if you’re not used to rolling over rocks and roots, just keep your legs moving and you should be fine.  There are a few very wet spots along the way and it’s tough to know if they will dry out over time.  If not, be prepared for mud but don’t sweat it because the trail is relatively short and you’ll be back at the trailhead in no time.

For those who remember it’s tough to see such a pristine trail system disrupted but we all understand that some single-track is better than nothing at all.  Click here for the trail profile and after your ride do yourself a huge favor and check out the Very Nice Brewing Company in Nederland for a flight of tasty suds - you have to try the Petrichor ESB; if a campfire had a flavor, this would be it.  One tip in the event you find yourself at a trailhead without a map; designated trails have maps at the trailhead and if you have a camera handy snap a photo of the map before you depart and zoom in if you get sidetracked.  Thanks for clicking in and I hope to see you on the trail.

Dirt Life