Manitou Downhill - Its worth the climb

Last week Ron and I did a summer solstice ride up Ute Trail and down Barr Trail. After the ride we finished things off with a beer at Kinfolks. While at Kinfolks we met a group of riders from Manitou Springs that ride around Manitou Springs every Thursday. They invited us out and we joined them on a killer downhill.


That's a crew


I want to see someone ride this


What a view


Chilling at the finish

Ute to Barr Trails - Summer Solstice In the Dark

It was just me and Ron tonight. We were going to try Jones Downhill but got a late start and decided on something shorter.

We started from the Waldo Canyon parking lot and headed south. Ute Trail was a brutal climb and took longer then expected. We had hoped to ride Elk Park but even on the longest day of the year things started to get dark. So we cut the ride short and headed down Barr Trail.

It was a good thing we headed down when we did. Before we got half way down things were dark and we were stuck negotiating the trail with our tiny headlights. Ron had a minor spill but he survived. When we made it to Manitou Springs we finished the night with a beer at Kinfolks where we met another group of Thursday night riders.

Urban Assault Ride

New Belgium is sponsoring this crazy event called the Urban Assault ride. Is anyone interested in doing this? It is done in teams of two and the entry fee is 90 per team. The race in seattle last year was won by a guy who rides for Rock Racing and Denver was won by a Trek rider, so not likely that we'd win but it would probably be fun!!! If anyone is interested, email me and I'll coordinate.

Spruce Mtn - AKA Paradise

Yesterday was another beautiful ride for Scott, Ron, Jake and Mark of RDBM. We rode Spruce Mtn open space which seemed like paradise because everything was so green, lush and peaceful. The open space is just north of Palmer Lake and west of Greenland. There was a brief rain earlier in the day which elimanted any dust or loose sections and made the trail fast and sticky. We road a short 6.5 mile loop which included some nice climbs, fantastic views and fast downhills.

Spruce Mountain

This Thursday we are going to ride Spruce Mountain Trail in Spruce. It is quite likely that none of us will have ridden the trail tomorrow, so as always be prepared with the camel pack J . It is a short ride (4.5 miles), and does not have any significant elevation difference, so if we are left unsatisfied with the ride we can always piggy-back with Spruce Meadows Trail, which is a little longer. Pets are allowed (leashed) if you would like to bring your dog (or puma) along.

We will meet at the trailhead at 5:30. Hope to see everyone out there tomorrow!

Link to Trail Map

Weather forecast for 6:00 PM Thursday – may want to bring a rain coat ;) :
53 deg, 60% rain, from NW 14 mph

Here is the information copy/pasted from the website:

Highlights:
Spruce Mountain Trail ascends Spruce Mountain through a ponderosa pine and Douglas fir forest. The first lookout offers breathtaking views of Greenland Open Space, surrounding buttes, Pikes Peak, the Palmer Divide, Carpenter Creek and thousands of acres of protected open space. There will be plenty of opportunities to gaze off rocky lookouts in all directions. Bring your camera!

Trail Rating:
The 4.5 mile shady hike, although fairly steep and narrow in the beginning, will take you to a wide and gentle trail that circles the top of the mountain. Ice and snow can build up on the shaded trails. You will encounter switchbacks on the ascent and back down again, and may need to step off the narrow trail, or back up, for passing trail users. Depending on the time of year, the trail will have its challenging sections and very easy sections. Small children have been known to hike it well, but keep an eye on them at the rocky lookouts!

Trail Length:
4.5 miles from Spruce Mountain Road parking lot, roundtrip.

Trail Surface:
Natural; some rock; steep and narrow 1/4-mile climb on north side with switchbacks.

Uses:
Hikers, horseback riders, mountain bikers, and pets on leash can use the trail.

Amenities:
There is a temporary, small grassy parking lot that will accommodate cars and light trucks only. Sorry, there is no room for horse trailers here. Trailers may be parked at the roomy Spruce Meadows Trailhead along Noe Road to the NE, adding a couple of miles in each direction to your ride. One port-a-potty is available. Please pack your trash out. There is no water available at this site. Water is available at stock ponds along the Spruce Meadows Trails and at nearby Greenland Open Space Trailhead.

Location:
From I-25, take the Greenland Exit (167) to the west and travel 1/4 mile west and 1/2 mile south. Bypass the Greenland Trailhead and continue right on the main gravel road (Noe Road) over two sets of railroad tracks and continue another mile to Spruce Mountain Road. Take a left and head south for about 3/4 mile to the small parking area on your right. Remember, cars and light trucks only.

Or, travel about 4 miles south of Larkspur on Spruce Mountain Road and the entrance will be on your right.

Contact:
Douglas County Open Space and Natural Resources at 303-660-7495.