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A 15-mile loop of some of the best trails Buffalo Creek has to offer.


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Map Key

15.5

Miles

25.0

KM

60%

Singletrack

8,050' 2,454 m

High

6,673' 2,034 m

Low

1,454' 443 m

Up

1,452' 443 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

13%

Max Grade (7°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Overview

Shorter and easier than the Buffalo Creek Big Loop - IMBA Epic, this mini-tour still hits some of the best Buffalo Creek trails.

Need to Know

Park at the Buffalo Creek parking area. This lot is free and local residents stock a shaded picnic area with snacks and drinks. Donations are recommended.

Description

This ride is intended to be ridden clockwise. Head west on Buffalo Creek Road 543 for four miles. The road climbs from the parking lot but is never very steep. Around 4 miles, the Gashouse/Baldy Connector will be on your right. Get some speed into the turn, the cutoff is usually full of kitty litter.

After 0.1 miles, you'll come to the Gashouse / Baldy trail intersection. This ride takes the right turn to Baldy but left to Gashouse is a great ride too and will get you to the same spot.

Baldy is a decent climb, nearly 900 vertical feet in three miles. COMBA has done some great re-routes with alternative line to make this a pleasant climb. You know you are getting close to the top when you climb up and around a big granite slab marked with rocks and tree limbs. There is an intersection at the end of Baldy and either straight or right will get you to Charlie's Cutoff, but this ride continues straight on the Gashouse Connector road.

Only 0.4 miles long, you'll soon come to another intersection with Miller Gulch Road. Turn right (or northeast) on Miller Gulch. Follow Miller Gulch Road for about 0.75 miles until you come to a Y intersection. As of December 2022 there is no trail sign marking this intersection. Turn left and go about 0.1 miles to the Charlie's Cutoff trailhead on the right.

Now the fun is about to begin. Charlie's Cutoff trail playfully meanders through the granite features. Everything on the main line is roll-able and there are no drops. Enjoy the 1.3 downhill miles to the next intersection with Homestead Trail.

Make sure to stay right on Homestead Trail. The downhill fun continues, but near the end of this trail there is a shallow creek crossing. COMBA rerouted the steep climb out so you no longer need to make sure you are in an easy gear to get up the hill. At the top of the hill, you'll find yourself at another intersection. To the left is the exit of the double black Blackjack, stay right on Sandy Wash. This will be the last singletrack downhill adventure of the ride, and it's a good one. Fast and flowy with the occasional granite feature, this trail is one of the best at Buffalo Creek.

About two miles in, there is a right turn that goes down to Buffalo Creek road, but there's no reason to cut out there so keep the course for the last 0.5 miles of Sandy Wash goodness. And now you are back on Buffalo Creek Road 543 (make a left), about 0.5 miles from the parking lot.

History & Background

Many Buffalo Creek trails go through a large burn area from a 1996 forest fire.

Contacts

Shared By:

Wendy Sweet with improvements by Kline and 1 other

Trail Ratings

  4.6 from 221 votes

#55

Overall
  4.6 from 221 votes
5 Star
63%
4 Star
31%
3 Star
5%
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1 Star
0%
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#17

in Colorado

#55

Overall
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44,866 Since Oct 3, 2015
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Photos

Heart Rock Corner
Apr 5, 2013 near Pine, CO
Mal on a rock slab on Charlie's Cutoff
May 29, 2019 near Pine, CO
One of the many different scenery's of Buffalo Creek.
Aug 9, 2019 near Pine, CO
The bigger line on Baldy Rock drop.
May 30, 2016 near Pine, CO
Be sure to explore the rocks on Baldy
Oct 29, 2016 near Pine, CO
Don't Brake - Granite shreds tires
Apr 4, 2013 near Pine, CO
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

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