Name: Dakota Ridge Trail
Rating: 4.4

Conditions

All Clear 7 days ago

Dry History

Getting forecast...

“A technical, rocky, fast trail.”

— Matt Thoele

GPX File — Driving Directions

Overview

Features: eMTB allowed

Dogs: Off-leash

Description

No matter how long you've been riding mountain bikes, Dakota Ridge will test the best of your technical skills. Running along the ridge between Red Rocks Amphitheater and Green Mountain, the trail can be ridden in either direction.

The western access point is at Hogback Road and I-70, while eastern access is from Hogback Road. across from the entrance to Red Rocks park.

Climbing steeply from the Hogback Road, this doubletrack turns left and changes to singletrack near the top of the climb.

The singletrack then contours its way up to the ridge with incredible views of the red sandstone formations along the southern Front Range.

Once the trail reaches the ridge it becomes extremely technical. The route is entirely rock, jutting out of the ground at various angles. Often times the surface is covered in a light dusting of sand. Settle in and work your slow speed balance while picking the best line.

As you traverse the ridge south the trail begins to descend. Be prepared for the rocks to change to wooden stepdowns. Stay back on your saddle and enjoy the ride - it's spicy!

Contacts

Local Club: Colorado Mountain Bike Association

Land Manager: Jefferson County, CO - Open Space Dept.

Full Details

Trail Ratings

4.4 from 42 votes

#1

in Matthews/Winters Park

#35

Overall

4.4 from 42 votes

5 Star		64%
4 Star		19%
3 Star		7%
2 Star		10%
1 Star		0%

Rankings

#1

in Matthews/Winters Park

#16

in Colorado

#35

Overall

783 Views Last Month

16,855 Since May 2, 2013

Difficult

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Photos

Smashing rocks on Dakota Ridge with Yeti employ…

Ride Dakota Ridge with world-famous Red Rocks A…

Just past the Zoro intersection are the stairs.…

The "Push" drop.

There are rocks a plenty on the Dakota Ridge tr…

Have fun on the descent!

It's all downhill from here on the Dakota Ridge…

Dakota is full of rock gardens

Always fun features to be had on Dakota Ridge

Where's the dirt? :)

The original drop on Dakota ridge. Many more ha…

There are lots of technical ups and downs on Da…

The last of the rock gardens before you hit the…

Smashing Rocks on Dakota

Dakota Ridge.

The second major rock garden on Dakota Ridge.

$The iconic Dakota dead tree. With amazing views of the Red Rocks\Morrison valley$

The iconic Dakota dead tree. With amazing views…

Dakota ridge has all the rock drops and views y…

Ridin' the ridge

The second rock garden on Dakota Ridge is short…

View from Dakota Ridge

Dakota Ridge - most technical part of the ride.…

Enjoy great views and sunsets from the top of D…

A sunny Dakota Ridge ride.

1 Comment

Do yourself a favor, ride this from North to south and add in Red Rocks to Mathew Winters to make a loop. Don't ride from South to North unless you like riding down the water bar climb Sep 18, 2015

Flag

Length 2.1 Miles 3.5 Kilometers Singletrack	Elevation 271' 82 m Ascent -506' -154 m Descent
7% Avg Grade (4°) 20% Max Grade (11°)	6,618' 2,017 m High 6,155' 1,876 m Low

Dakota Ridge Trail

Length

2.1 Miles 3.5 Kilometers

Singletrack

Elevation

271' 82 m

-506' -154 m

7%

20%

6,618' 2,017 m

6,155' 1,876 m