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Castle Trail

Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 3.6 (68)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Front Range
  4. …Morrison
  5. Mount Falcon Park
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“Not a super technical climb but nonetheless demanding due to the constant grade and obstacles. ”

Mark Eller
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Map Key

3.9

Miles

6.2

KM
Singletrack

7,770' 2,368 m

High

6,031' 1,838 m

Low

1,740' 530 m

Up

0' 0 m

Down

8%

Avg Grade (5°)

26%

Max Grade (14°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Allowed

Occasionally closed in muddy/wet conditions. Popular with hikers, and Jefferson County rangers have been known to ticket riders who exceed 15 MPH or ride aggressively.

Description

From the Mt. Falcon parking lot, you'll get a minimal warmup before the long grind on the Castle Rock trail begins. The grade isn't too steep but there are enough water bars, tight switchbacks and rock fields to make this a demanding climb.

About halfway up, a hard lefthand turn (with just a touch of tree shade) offers a brief respite before the climbing kicks in again. Then it's more grinding in small gears to the top. It's challenging to stay on the bike the entire time not because the technical challenge is super high but simply because of the relentless climbing and moderate obstacles that just keep coming.

A fit rider keeping the hammer down will need about 30 minutes (give or take) to reach the stone shelter. At a conversational pace, or with some breaks, the ascent could take an hour or more.

This trail continues all the way down to the other parking lot on the west side of the system at Mt. Falcon road, but most use Castle Trail to connect to the other great singletrack in the area.

From the stone shelter, continue on the Meadow trail to reach Parmalee and other Mt. Falcon singletrack. Or turn around at the shelter for the downhill leg just keep an eye peeled for uphill traffic and give yourself enough time to brake/yield on the sometimes loose surface.

Contacts

Local Club: Colorado Mountain Bike Association

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

Shared By:

Mark Eller
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  3.6 from 68 votes

#1

in Mount Falcon Park

#158

Overall
  3.6 from 68 votes
5 Star
16%
4 Star
37%
3 Star
43%
2 Star
4%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#1

in Mount Falcon Park

#66

in Colorado

#158

Overall
32 Views Last Month
8,806 Since May 14, 2013
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
0%
0%
32%
16%
51%
2%
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Photos

Near the Top of Castle Trail after climbing up the technical singletrack.
May 15, 2015 near Indian…, CO
Midwest/Flat Earth Rider Tries Mount Falcon Climb...
Sep 6, 2022 near Morrison, CO
Near the 1st half of the climb
Dec 27, 2019 near Morrison, CO
Perfect weather condition, great view from the ruins.
Apr 2, 2019 near Indian…, CO
One of the best downhills on the Front Range! But a tough climb up.
Jun 4, 2022 near Indian…, CO
A glimpse of the more difficult sections.
Sep 7, 2015 near Morrison, CO

6 Comments

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Current Trail Conditions

Minor Issues 18 days ago
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Check-Ins

Oct 27, 2024
Dan 60D5H411
With Owen
Jul 11, 2024
Anonymous
Jun 29, 2024
J Welle
W Steph just the climb and down 5mi
Aug 2, 2023
Sheri Vernier
May 8, 2023
Loren D
Nov 13, 2022
Loren D
Aug 3, 2022
Beau Hott
Nov 27, 2021
Keith Kiggins

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