Trails & Routes – Bike Estes

Estes Epic 2018 Parcours (difficult)

Stefaan Van Damme — Mon, 03 Sep 2018 17:08:32 +0000

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for more info about the race, visit www.estesepic.com

Estes – Old Fall River loop (Difficult)

Stefaan Van Damme — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 19:30:33 +0000

Old Fall River Road is the original road that took you over the Continental Divide before Trail Ridge was built. It’s a one lane dirt road that climbs 5,000 ft up the side of a mountain. As cyclists we can ride this road anytime that cars are allowed, but with the condition that the road is a one way when cars are allowed. This simply means that for a majority of the year you can ride up Old Fall River and then come back to civilization on Trail Ridge.

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Old Fall River Road to AVC and back to Estes Park on Trail Ridge road (Difficult)

Stefaan Van Damme — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 19:29:26 +0000

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The Glen Haven Switchbacks (Intermediate)

Stefaan Van Damme — Sun, 03 Jun 2018 14:26:58 +0000

This ride starts and ends at Elkins Distillery.

The route starts by taking you on a tour of the Highway 34 canyon on a 2,000ft descent. The epic turns at 35+ miles per hour are made even better with the generous lane size and amazing views of rock formations as you descend into Drake.

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After 11 miles you turn left onto County Road 43. This road was totally destroyed in the recent flood and with construction ending late 2016 this road has become the smoothest stretch in Colorado. Over the next 8 miles you will gain back all 2,000 feet as you approach Glen Haven. Don’t be surprised when you don’t see a single car on this climb.

As you leave the last part of the canyon you enter the Town of Glen Haven where you should strongly consider a short rest at the general store for a famous cinnamon roll. Once the sugar and carbs are safely in your stomach it’s time to climb the Switchbacks. If you have the legs you can try and take the KOM from the locals. This short and punchy segment averages a 10% grade and climbs 700ft in less than a mile. When you finally reach the top, if you have any air in your lungs it will all be taken away with the views of Long’s peak and all of the Estes Valley. At this point you have 4 miles of descent and flats to work out all that lactic acid build up as you head back

By Kevin Benes – http://www.estesepic.com

Estes Park to Grand Lake (Difficult)

Stefaan Van Damme — Sun, 03 Jun 2018 14:06:17 +0000

Up Moraine Avenue, the road take you in through the Beaver Meadows Entrance, past the national park’s head quarters. After entering the park, riders get a short flat before the first climb, about 3.5 miles from the curve at Upper Beaver Meadows to the top of Deer Ridge Junction. Riders get to recuperate a bit between the junction and the turn to Hidden Valley. From here it is a relentless climb for as long as you might like. The ride from town to Rock Cut, just above 12,000 feet, is almost 22 miles at an average grade of 4 percent. While USA Pro Challenge rider Kiel Reijnen of United Healthcare finished the climb in 1:48:27, don’t be surprised if it takes twice that time for you or me.

At this point you can turn, you can continue to the Alpine Visitor Center another few miles west, or turn it into a day-long epic by riding all the way to Grand Lake and back, a 90-plus mile round rip.

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Around Lake Estes (Easy)

Stefaan Van Damme — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 05:32:43 +0000

Estes Park Classico (Intermediate)

Stefaan Van Damme — Mon, 26 Oct 2015 02:34:42 +0000

(Dry Gulch, Devils Gulch, Fish Creek, Fall River Road)

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Dry Gulch – Devils Gulch (Intermediate)

Stefaan Van Damme — Sun, 25 Oct 2015 22:27:53 +0000

This is a great loop with some demanding climbs that will sneak up on you! This is about a 12 mile ride.

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Estes Park to Bear Lake in RMNP and back (Difficult)

Stefaan Van Damme — Sun, 25 Oct 2015 22:04:03 +0000

This is a scenic ride that will expose you to the beauty of Rocky Mountain National Park! This is a twenty mile ride out and back if you start from the entrance station. From town take highway 36 to the entrance of the park. Once through the entrance station you will make you’re first left on Bear Lake Rd.

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Dry Gulch – Crosier Mountain – Glen Haven (Difficult)

Stefaan Van Damme — Sun, 25 Oct 2015 21:48:58 +0000

The trail starts at H-Bar-G Ranch and ends in Glen Haven near the Post Office. Parking is located at the corner of 63E (DryGulch Rd) and H Bar G Rd in the gravel lot. From there go right (east) on H Bar G Rd until you see the entrance for H-Bar-G Ranch on the right. The ranch is private property but they have been kind enough to allow us access. Please stay on the road and close all the gates behind you. Once you enter the property stay left and go up the hill, there will be a second gate on your left that marks the start of the trail. Once you have finished and arrive in Glen Haven there are three ways to get back to the top. The first would be to ride back up the trail but you would have to be in really great shape. The second is to ride the highway back, Devils Gulch to H Bar G Rd, which is still tough but much easier than the trail. The third, and easiest, would be to run shuttle and leave a car at both locations.

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