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A classic tour of Cheyenne Canyon - a long, scenic climb up followed by a classic downhill.


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Map Key

13.6

Miles

21.9

KM

65%

Singletrack

8,227' 2,508 m

High

6,251' 1,905 m

Low

1,989' 606 m

Up

1,986' 605 m

Down

6%

Avg Grade (3°)

19%

Max Grade (11°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Unknown

Overview

One of the rides that makes Colorado Springs a great place to ride. It starts at the edge of town, climbs into the foothills, then descends back down the famous Captain Jack's trail, followed by the Chutes.

Description

Park at the Ridgeway parking lot, then head up the Chutes to the top at Gold Camp Road. Follow Gold Camp (an old railroad grade) several miles. This road is a very steady climb. It starts out paved at the top of the Chutes trail, then quickly turns to dirt as you head uphill. After another mile or so you'll pass the parking lot at the bottom of Captain Jack's trail, just before entering Tunnel #1. (Off to the left before the tunnel is the Spring Creek trail, which connects to Columbine Trail)

A few more miles and another tunnel later, you'll reach the parking lot at the top of the Cheyenne Canon paved road. Continue through the lot, through the metal gate, and you'll soon reach the bottom of Buckhorn trail. If you make a sharp turn left on the road at the end of the canyon, you've gone too far.

Take the right fork up Buckhorn - after a short, technical climb, the trail makes a sharp right turn to the east and continues uphill. Just keep on climbing until you reach the saddle. Turn right at the saddle, follow the ridgeline and you'll be rewarded with a view of the entire canyon. From here it's a moderately techy run down to High Drive and the start of Captain Jack's trail.

Captain Jack's is wide singletrack, very fast, with just a few short uphill sections. There aren't any intersections to worry about, so let it rip! Turn right, follow Captain Jack's along the ridgeline, then down to cross High Drive.

Continue down Jack's to the bottom, where it exits out onto Gold Camp Road next to tunnel #1. Return home down through the Chutes.

Contacts

Shared By:

The Kraken

Trail Ratings

  4.4 from 169 votes

#94

Overall
  4.4 from 169 votes
5 Star
59%
4 Star
30%
3 Star
8%
2 Star
3%
1 Star
1%
Recommended Route Rankings

#31

in Colorado

#94

Overall
114 Views Last Month
51,340 Since Mar 28, 2013
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

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Photos

Climbing Columbine Trail.
May 14, 2016 near Manitou…, CO
Shredding Cpt. Jacks in the snow
Mar 1, 2019 near Manitou…, CO
Beautiful climb to 6919 ft of altitude and then a fantastic chutes decent.
Jul 15, 2020 near Colorad…, CO
A fun day on one of the best rides in Colorado Springs.
Nov 16, 2017 near Colorad…, CO
Top of buckhorn Loop entering the downhill of Capt'n Jacks!
Jul 3, 2014 near Manitou…, CO
Captain Jacks
Nov 17, 2017 near Manitou…, CO
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Current Trail Conditions

Bad / Closed 3 days ago
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