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

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The summit of Crosier Mountain will reward you with panoramics of Twin Sisters Peaks and Longs Peak to the south, Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National park to the southwest and west, Signal Mountain to the northwest and the Front Range to the east.

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This trail is one of the most popular trails within 40 minutes of Longmont/Boulder, which means it can get very crowded, especially on weekends. There can also be significant horseback traffic, so be prepared for frequent stops along the descent as you yield to uphill riders, horses, and hikers. It can be frustrating because the descents are so much fun – but be courteous… it’s a challenging trail for horses, and they can be easily spooked.

There are two parking lots at this trailhead, and toilets, so most people (including the horseback riders) start here. However, this is also the most difficult way to ride Hall. Intermediate and beginner riders might choose to start from the smaller trailhead to ride up the Antelope Trail.

Starting on Bitterbrush – Lower Section, the singletrack begins right at the end of the upper parking lot. There’s a nice sign there to help you get your bearings. Climbing starts almost immediately, but the trail starts off mostly smooth. Before long, you’ll start riding up and over some small rocks, and the trail will get rockier as you climb.

About 3/4 of a mile in, the well-known rock garden starts. From here, it’s a steep climb with frequent big technical moves over rock formations. You won’t need to be a trials rider to clean this section, but you’ll need to be a skilled mountain biker with enough fitness to keep your heart from jumping out of your chest.

There’s a bench at the top of this section with a nice view – a perfect spot for a quick snack if you need it. Otherwise, continue down a short descent and merge onto the singletrack (Bitterbrush – Upper Section) coming up from the Antelope Trail. Settle in for a mostly gradual and smooth climb for about a mile and a half up to the Nelson Loop.

The Nelson Loop can be ridden either direction, although clockwise seems to be the most common. You’ll climb further to the high point at about 6700′ where there’s a hiker’s only trail heading back down to the trailhead and another bench to rest on. Here you’ll be rewarded with 360 degree views. Notably, you’ll see Mt. Meeker and Longs Peak. The rest of the loop from this point is a fantastic descent.

Now it’s downhill almost the entire way back down to where you merged onto the Antelope Trail. You can either merge back onto Bitterbrush – Lower Section and re-trace your steps, or add a quick out and back by continuing on the Antelope Trail down to its start and riding back up to the Bitterbrush junction. Antelope is a mostly smooth, intermediate trail – it’s a fun detour if you’ve got the energy.

Once you start heading back down Bitterbrush – Lower Section, you’ll bounce your way back down through the Rock Garden, and it’s almost all downhill from here back to your car

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This ride takes you past a few (but not all) of these. Most of the route is on old doubletrack wagon roads, but with a few short sections of singletrack included. It’s beautiful scenery, interesting history, all from the saddle of your awesome mountain bike. What’s not to like?!

Access to Homestead Meadows can be achieved from Hermit Park (from the north), Pierson Park (from the west) or Lion Gulch Trailhead (from the east). Access to Hermit Park requires a Larimer County day-use pass. This can be purchased on site for $6, or you can also purchase the annual pass for $75. These passes provide access to all Larimer County parks and open spaces (including great riding at Horsetooth Mountain Park and Blue Sky Trailhead).

Beginning at the large trailhead in Hermit Park, the first section of the ride is a gravel road that provides access to a couple of Hermit Park cabins which are available to rent. At the end of the gravel road the singletrack begins. It leads you into the woods and up the side of a hill. After winding your way through the woods a bit, the trail terminates by dropping sharply down to Road 120. This descent to Road 120 is highly technical and will probably be very challenging for most.

Follow Road 120 uphill for a gut-busting climb into Homestead Meadows. This stretch doesn’t present any technical challenges, but it is a long and steep climb with no breaks until you get to the top. You’ll know you’re at the top when you pass through a forest service gate. Once you’ve arrived in Homestead Meadows, it’s fast and easy pedaling for the most part.

Soon you’ll come to a junction with Road 120 and 120A. Stay on Road 120 to the left as it generally runs through the center of all the historic homesteads of the area. Following the road in the downhill direction it can be pretty fun to just “open it up” and get your speed up. If you do that, just be mindful of how old this road is. It is very uneven with some deep ruts in some places that could sneak up on you.

Eventually, you’ll get to a major trail intersection. On your left, you’ll see a trail marker sticking up in the middle of the trail that reads “Lion’s Paw Trail 949-1.” Turn left and follow this down the hill. This short connector is fraught with technical challenges and steepness. In other words, the segment makes for a pretty fun ride down. At the bottom of that is another major trail intersection. Point your bike north to take the Lion Gulch Spur trail.

This trail runs past a couple of the old homesteads towards the middle and southern ends of the trail. The southern end runs through a large meadow complete with tall grasses and the trail is deeply rutted in spots. Exit from the meadow section is provided by a series of wood steps. Riding up them can be challenging so go for it! Pass another homestead and the trail winds past it off to the right. Here there are some rocky challenges where it looks like the trail has been washed out a bit, so finding your way through this can be interesting and fun.

Hook back up with Road 120 and take it for a short section uphill. Before long you come to a sign pointing left for the Meadow Loop Trail (1006) 1006. That singletrack continues straight (where Road 120 veers right). Follow the singletrack as it descends a rocky hill into a small meadow. Once down off the hill into the small meadow, the trail turns bumpy and depending on the time of year can be a bit hard to follow as it could get lost in the tall grass. After the meadow, the trail goes back into the woods and back up another hill. Coming back down that hill on the north end of the trail is fun! This will spit you out onto 120A.

Take 120A to the right, and follow it past the Brown Homestead until you intersect with Road 120 again. Take Road 120 to the left and you are now headed back to where you started. Retrace your steps (enjoy the amazing downhill on Road 120) and get back to your car.

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Do this trail in the summer and you may have to share it with a jeep or two, no big deal. But, the forest service closes this road for winter to motorized vehicles. Be on the lookout for those awesome Colorado days in the middle of the winter that are 60 degrees and come hit this trail. You’ll likely have it to yourself!

The northernmost section of this road provides the most spectacular views looking west over the Estes Park valley and into Rocky Mountain National Park. This section of the road also passes through “the Notch” which is a major outcropping of boulders.

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