MTB Project Logo
Climb
MTB
Hike
Trailrun
Ski
Limited Time70% OffonX Backcountry

Mini-Tour of Buffalo Creek

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate Intermediate
 4.6 (227)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Front Range
  4. …Pine
  5. Buffalo Creek Trail System
Explore MTB in 3D
Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.
Previous Next

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

Wendy Sweet
Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Google Map
Zoom in to see details
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

Local Club: Colorado Mountain Bike Association

Land Manager: USFS - Pike National Forest - South Platte Ranger District

Shared By:

Wendy Sweet with improvements by Kline and 1 other
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.6 from 227 votes

#3

in Buffalo Creek Trail System

#61

Overall
  4.6 from 227 votes
5 Star
63%
4 Star
31%
3 Star
5%
2 Star
1%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#3

in Buffalo Creek Trail Sy…

#18

in Colorado

#61

Overall
298 Views Last Month
44,866 Since Oct 3, 2015
Intermediate Intermediate
1%
2%
79%
9%
10%
0%
Add a Photo

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
Super fun roll down
Aug 25, 2024 near Pine, CO
The bigger line on Baldy Rock drop.
May 30, 2016 near Pine, CO
Don't Brake - Granite shreds tires
Apr 4, 2013 near Pine, CO

9 Comments

Sort by: Oldest Drop down
Newest Oldest Popular
loading

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 24 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Sep 2, 2024
Raputa Thebeauta
15mi — 1h 52m
Aug 30, 2024
WhiskeyDan
Aug 24, 2024
Michelle Lynch
15.4mi — 2h 00m
Jul 20, 2024
Rob Jenkins
Jul 17, 2024
Matthew Goldatein
Jun 5, 2024
Russ Haman
10h 08m
May 5, 2024
Peter Byrne
Apr 14, 2024
Garrett B
casual — 1h 45m

Nearby Recommended Routes

Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started