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Shield's Gulch Loop

Intermediate
 3.7 (20)

A loop of 60% fire road / 40% singletrack with periodic views of the Collegiate Range.


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Map Key

11.5

Miles

18.4

KM

40%

Singletrack

9,356' 2,852 m

High

8,447' 2,575 m

Low

1,055' 321 m

Up

1,054' 321 m

Down

3%

Avg Grade (2°)

16%

Max Grade (9°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Allowed

Overview

Also known as Midland 376A Loop, this loop is rideable in either direction and is mapped here riding clockwise from the noted parking lot. As mapped, it's about 6 miles on fire road up and into the interior of the Fourmile area with periodic views of the Collegiate Range. There are a few intersections, so watch the course as you go.

After the 6 miles of fire roads, you connect onto a singletrack section of the Midland Bike Trail Out and Back to return to the parking lot.

This loop offers a decent work-out on fire roads followed by a mostly non-technical singletrack return.

Description

Riding the loop clockwise, begin from the noted parking lot and make an almost immediate left onto fire road 376A (the Midland Bike Trail Out and Back continues straight at this point). Climb this fire road for about 4 miles and enjoy the various places with views behind you. Near the top, you'll come to an intersection and make a right onto fire road 376 for about 1/10 mile through an open camping area, then make a right onto fire road 315 for the fast descent into Shield's Gulch for 2 miles.

Near the bottom, but not at the bottom, look for a trail sign with a small singletrack trail splitting off and up to the right. This very short connector leads you into the "Back" section of the Midland Bike Trail Out and Back, which is where the singletrack begins and continues along an overall slightly downward grade. While mostly smooth singletrack, there are a handful of short/steep/technical climbs/descents over this 4+ mile return to the parking lot where you began.

Shared By:

Jason Lampenrider with improvements by David Hallum

Trail Ratings

  3.7 from 20 votes

#1906

Overall
  3.7 from 20 votes
5 Star
20%
4 Star
35%
3 Star
35%
2 Star
10%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

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Overall
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11,137 Since Jul 17, 2013
Intermediate

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Photos

"Don't feed the Rocky Mountain Elephant"
Jul 16, 2018 near Buena V…, CO
Great drop with smooth landing that can be ridden small or large.
Oct 28, 2019 near Buena V…, CO
Heading west from trailhead off of 24.
Sep 9, 2022 near Buena V…, CO
Riding through a narrow gulch along the trail
Jul 27, 2013 near Buena V…, CO
Wonderful views along this section
Jul 16, 2013 near Buena V…, CO
Bacon Bits junction with Old Midland Cutoff
Oct 23, 2017 near Buena V…, CO

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Check-Ins

Oct 16, 2022
Tiffany Nguyen
May 28, 2022
Chris Leo
Apr 17, 2022
Scott Long
A good warm-up for the season. Singletrack is 80% smooth with a few techy areas. An advanced beginner route. 11.5mi — 2h 00m
Apr 10, 2022
Justin DeSola
Jul 22, 2021
Aidan Jenkins
Solo BV 11.2mi — 1h 29m
Sep 20, 2020
Audie Smith
Aug 27, 2020
David Hallum
Jun 12, 2020
Jen Nazzaro
Fistful of Dollars > Service Road > Midland > Bacon Bits > Sausage Link > Django 18mi