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A 5.4 mile sustained technical loop from Brainard Lake entrance through lesser seen wilderness.


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Map Key

5.4

Miles

8.7

KM

95%

Singletrack

10,244' 3,122 m

High

9,698' 2,956 m

Low

641' 195 m

Up

650' 198 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

15%

Max Grade (9°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Occasional fire restrictions.

Overview

An amazing, lesser traveled trail that induces feelings of being in a backcountry setting. Enjoy meadows and technical singletrack that offers hard to come by views!

Sustained technical sections can make for a slower trail pace; there's certainly potential for hike-a-bike sections. Mind the weather at altitude.

Need to Know

This trail was added by Kevin Stiffler, who is a guide/trainer/expert for the best skills clinic business in Colorado! Check out: leelikesbikes.com for more info about them.

Description

From the Brainard Lake entrance, take North Sourdough on the right. The Sourdough Trail - Southern Half is located here on the left, with the entrance road to Brainard Lake splitting the trail in half.

Continue along North Sourdough for 1.2mi of fast, technical descending. Enjoy the breezy recovery of your descent because sustained technical climbing soon awaits.

After 1.2mi, turn Left onto South Saint Vrain Trail trail. Follow for 2.0mi and begin working through some of the most difficult climbing sections. Enjoy the babbling brook and dense forest here. Cross the stream and continue climbing to a mountain prairie. Keep your eyes open for wildlife in this wet prairie, but be sure to keep your tires on the narrow wooden bridges!

After 2.0mi, turn Left again onto a .5mi connecting trail towards Waldrop Trail, cross through some more wetlands and climb back into the forest. Shortly thereafter, you'll be greeted by some fast, flowy and smoothness on the Waldrop Trail for the final 1.5mi back to the Trailhead at the Brainard Lake Entrance Parking Lot.

This is a great addition to Sourdough Trail - Southern Half to increase difficulty and work on technical skills.

Contacts

Shared By:

Kevin Stiffler with improvements by Richard Hackett

Trail Ratings

  3.8 from 4 votes

#3163

Overall
  3.8 from 4 votes
5 Star
50%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
25%
2 Star
25%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#449

in Colorado

#3,163

Overall
5 Views Last Month
3,722 Since Jul 29, 2014
Very Difficult Very Difficult

0%
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17%
17%
67%

Photos

Rocky approach to stream crossing.
Jul 23, 2019 near Nederland, CO
Scope out your line choice on this first stream crossing.
Jul 29, 2014 near Nederland, CO
One of many wooden skinny bridge features- riding over this shorter one with ease.
Jul 29, 2014 near Nederland, CO
Looking forward to the smooth flowy section.
Jul 29, 2014 near Nederland, CO
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
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