French Creek Trail #703

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

The first half mile of the trail is wide doubletrack that descends from the Barr Trail. It is rideable in both directions.

The road then meets Longs Ranch Road, and French Creek Trail #703 turns off to the left (northwesterly) as singletrack. This trail is not maintained well. There are many large, downed trees that necessitate dismounting every few hundred yards on the descent and make climbing the other direction a chore.

At mile 2.0, the trail crosses French Creek. There is no log or rocks or easy way through and the creek is fast, ankle deep and ice cold. Dismounting and making a barefoot crossing keeps the socks and shoes dry.

After this, the trail hangs on the edge of the canyon and is mostly hike-a-bike due to an extremely narrow trail, Pike's granite pebbles and multiple large boulders and obstacles.

The trail eventually meets the Heizer Trail and Manitou Reservoir Trail.

I would not recommend this trail unless the Forest Service does some serious maintenance.