Dogs Leashed
All or portions of certain trails in Apex Park are directional by day. This route is for
even numbered days only. Please see maps posted at trailheads for further information.
Overview
This route incorporates two of the best descending trails in Apex Park:
Enchanted Forest and
Apex Trail. Both of these trails are one-way downhill on even days and are hiker-only on odd numbered days, but when you're allowed to descend them, they are a ton of fun.
Need to Know
Once again, please observe the directional restrictions on odd numbered days.
Description
Start this ride from either parking lot and climb
Apex Trail to
Argos Trail.
Argos Trail is a grind of a climb but there are some great views of Denver and Golden as you climb. At the top of Argos, turn right onto
Pick N' Sledge. Continue climbing on
Pick N' Sledge until you reach an intersection with
Grubstake - stay left here.
Continue climbing
Pick N' Sledge, which is still rocky and steep, until another intersection with
Grubstake where you'll turn right. At this point, the trail enters the woods and the character changes dramatically. There are some very steep sections on
Grubstake that are littered rocks and the dirt usually stays way better back here thanks to the aspect and tree cover. After the descent, pedal the mellow climb on
Grubstake back to
Pick N' Sledge and retrace your steps back to the top.
This time, take
Sluicebox, which descends through a series of difficult, rocky switchbacks to a junction with
Hardscrabble, and eventually
Apex Trail. Turn right on
Hardscrabble.
Follow
Hardscrabble which offers a smooth connection to
Apex Trail. Stay right onto Apex and get back on the pedals. Continue the fairly mellow climb all the way to the top of
Enchanted Forest. Now the fun really begins.
Drop your saddle, open your suspension and let it rip. Don't be fooled, however, as
Enchanted Forest has a few very steep climbs that intersperse the rapid descent. Eventually, you'll pop out at the bottom of
Enchanted Forest at a junction with
Apex Trail. Stay straight onto Apex and from here, it's all downhill.
Prepare yourself for steep rocky sections and lower grade, higher speed sections. This is a technical trail that will have the descend-happy riders grinning from ear to ear.
Apex Trail terminates at the parking lot.
Contacts
Shared By:
Brian Smith
with improvements
by Joe Kozlowicz
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