In my book, it’s one of life’s greatest pleasures. No work, no obligations – just ride your bike, eat, hot tub…and then do it all over again the next day.
This particular trip hit Winter Park, Steamboat Springs and Park City in one grand loop of gloriousness. It added up to a lot of singletrack for not a lot of driving, and that’s hard to beat.
We began in Winter Park with a chill ride while we watched friends do the Valley Point to Point cross-country race. The race has a new extension this year for more advanced riders, and it looked like it gave people their money’s worth. Rob and I chose to skip this race in order to save ourselves for the Super D the following day, and it was actually really fun to just ride and experience the trails in WP without being completely redlined and suffering.
The race used a singletrack that used to be one of the “secret trails” of the area: Sunken Bridges. We rode down it with the Sport men, and although there’s nothing secret about it anymore, it’s still nice and narrow. You need to keep your wits about you, as it’s very twisty and rooty, with trees reaching to grab your bars the minute you fall asleep at the wheel. I highly recommend it. And since you can get to it by way of lots of other great singletrack (Chainsaw, Flume, etc.), it makes for a solid weekend ride. Here’s a collection of maps for the area.
The next day we acquitted ourselves quite well in the Super D, an event that never fails to plaster a huge smile on my face. Speaking of riding downhill, Winter Park has put in a substantial effort to improve the lift-serviced trails on the mountain. There are options for riders of every level, with lots of jumps (all roll-able by earthbound riders), a wall ride, and a selection of wooden features. Even intermediate cross-country riders can get a kick out of Free Speech, a great trail with wide, swoopy, suspended wooden sections (which hardcore riders can convert into a double). Not only that, there are plenty more real-deal freeriding options. Here’s all the info you need to have a great day improving your downhill skills.
The next day, we piled all our junk into the car and headed to Steamboat.
We had plans for two rides in Steamboat, and we zeroed in our favorites: Diamond Park to Scott’s Run, and Storm Peak/Mountain View/Wyoming Trail/Spring Creek. We’re always interested in the long, backcountry-style rides, and both of these fit the bill. Well, Scott’s Run isn’t that long, but it’s tucked away in a place that sees very little action, so it feels pretty remote.
We started up Diamond Park on the afternoon we arrived, with dark clouds pushing and shoving overhead. At this point, we’re so used to getting rained on in Steamboat that we hardly even pay attention. We just stuff the rain jackets into our packs and head out. Sure enough, we were maybe 20 minutes into the mellow climb when the thunder began echoing down the valley. We ducked into the trees when the rain started coming down harder, and were immediately set upon by clouds of mosquitoes. We huddled in irritated silence, slapping ourselves.
Just as I thought I was going to start getting pissed off (and it’s really, really hard to upset me when I’m out riding), the sky faucet trickled to a stop. We jumped out of the trees and debated whether it was better to continue or turn back, now that the trail was good and sloppy. Still slapping ourselves, of course.
We were determined to experience Scott’s Run. And since we had adopted a “harden the hell up” attitude home in Boulder, where it had been raining every day, there was definitely no backing down now. We got busy outrunning the mosquitoes, splashing through puddles and waiting for the sun to come out, like we knew it would. We knew it would because we had basically the same experience the previous year.
In the repacking of our stuff, my camera didn’t make it into my riding pack, so these are from last year. But nothing’s changed — it’s still this gorgeous, I promise.
Diamond Park after the rain
By the time we made it to the Scott’s Run turnoff, the sun was shining, and we were totally stoked. We set off down the singletrack, and found that not only was it still single, it was almost virgin. The tread was so narrow and overgrown that it was hard to see in places. We were amazed. Do none of the locals ride this? It’s not like it’s a secret; it’s on the map plain as day.
The trail weaves through aspen stands and contours along open hillsides, offering up enough roots and rocks to keep things interesting. It’s not steep, but rather rolls along until suddenly you’re back at the valley bottom again.
But in true Colorado fashion, there’s a last climb — a short but damn steep little pitch over a final ridgeline. And it’s in the trees, so the mosquitoes will descend upon you immediately (if not sooner) if you stop to rest. If I haven’t already persuaded you to bathe in DEET before riding in the ‘Boat, consider this the final warning. Or if you forget the bug juice, try using that AXE “Phoenix” bodyspray you keep in the car. (”When applied correctly to the pits and chest, will have an exciting effect on women nearby.” — actual text of internet ad.)
The next day, we wanted to hit the big epic ride. After a couple of years of experimentation, we’ve settled on doing it this way: Go to the ski hill and buy a lift ticket. It’s $30, but to us it was worth it, since we had better things to do than climb up the whole ski hill before even getting to Storm Peak. Get off the gondola and settle into the climb up the Peak. It’s a boring access road with gravelly, slushy switchbacks, but it doesn’t take all that long to complete. At the top, savor the views for a few minutes before taking off down Mountain View. This trail’s a blast — everything you want out of high-country singletrack. It descends gradually, with lots of turns to carve, grade reversals to pump, and rocky bits to skim over. And its backdrop of misty peaks and aspen groves isn’t too crappy, either.
Top of Storm Peak with Mountain View Trail in the background
Eventually you’ll make your way to Long Lake, a nice place to stop for a snack since the breeze keeps the bugs away.
Then you can saddle up and head on out to the Wyoming Trail. This piece of the ride is usually great, a fast track with some occasional ups and downs, but it was an interminable slog this time around. Not only were there STILL piles of snow to deal with, there was a ridiculous number of downed trees. We were getting off our bikes and bushwhacking around massive jumbles of logs, branches and underbrush with annoying frequency. At first we were making jokes about the alpine cyclocross course, but eventually the levity trickled to a stop, leaving us silently gritting our teeth at every get-off. I’m not exaggerating when I say we got off our bikes about every 300 feet. The flow of the trail was pretty much ruined. However, it’s the first time we’ve seen this in several rides of this loop, so don’t be discouraged. I’m guessing that the Forest Service was still waiting for the snow to melt before heading in with their chainsaws.
Finally we emerged into a gorgeous, high-alpine meadow. And no joke, in late July, there was still a massive snow field over the center of it. It was dense enough to walk across, thankfully, but at the same time, we were pretty sick of walking. But the ride wasn’t over yet and we had a final nugget to look forward to: the descent down Buffalo Pass Road and the swooping singletrack of Spring Creek. This final bit of trail crosses the creek 15 times, and definitely made everything all right again.
Muddy, tired and rather pleased with ourselves, we cruised back into town and relaxed with a chilly beverage. All in all, a pretty solid day. Steamboat delivers yet again.
And to make it even sweeter, we weren’t going home yet. We had four days in Park City ahead.
(Stay tuned for Part Two)
