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

Ape' Ney (Apex to Chimney)

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Difficult Difficult
 4.3 (42)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Front Range
  4. …Golden
  5. Apex Park
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 climb up the Apex system with several challenging tech sections followed by a long and fast, flowing descent. ”

Chuck McQuade
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

9.2

Miles

14.9

KM

100%

Singletrack

7,537' 2,297 m

High

5,707' 1,740 m

Low

1,606' 489 m

Up

2,063' 629 m

Down

8%

Avg Grade (4°)

28%

Max Grade (16°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Allowed

Features Flow · Technical

All or portions of certain trails in Apex Park are directional by day. As shown, this route avoids trails subject to closures. But riders should be aware of these restrictions. Please see maps posted at trailheads for further information.

Overview

Thanks to countless sweaty hours from volunteers within the community and the Golden Giddyup the Chimney Gulch trail has seen great improvements creating a wonderful downhill trail. Many climb Chimney Gulch to descend the Apex Trail ("Chim'Pex"), which is a great ride as well.

I highly suggest trying it in the other direction ("Ape' Ney"). You wont be disappointed and it may even become a favorite.

Near the top of the Apex Trail climb, if an even numbered days consider a add-on descent of Enchanted Forest Trail. Once at the bottom of one of the better downhill segments in the area, re-climb the upper portion of Apex Trail and continue along the Ape ' Ney route!

Need to Know

Leaving a shuttle car somewhere in Golden, preferably near one of the many micro breweries for post ride refreshments is an option. Or one can return to the Apex Park parking lot via the paved bike trail found at the end of the Chimney Gulch trail.

Description

From the Apex Park parking lot, warm your legs up working your way up the Argos Trail switchbacks. After taking a right onto Pick N' Sledge trail, ready yourself for several steeper sections scattered with technical step-ups and rocky cruxes. Continue on the trail passing by the Grubstake trail intersection, eventually coming to a great overlook of Golden and the high point of Pick N' Sledge.

Enjoy the short but perfectly timed downhill joining briefly into Sluicebox then Hardscrabble - a smooth connection from Sluicebox to Apex. Now continue on upper Apex, a steady and mostly smooth climb finishing with a wood slat ramp. Cross Lookout Mountain Road to pickup Lookout Mountain Trail, which runs alongside Colorow Road The trail eventually crosses over the paved road, look for the picnic table.

Drop the seat as it's time to grin ear-to-ear for the next four miles of downhill bliss. There will be a brief interruption at the Windy Saddle parking lot where you'll pick up the Chimney Gulch trail which starts next to a guard rail after crossing the paved road.

After several miles of beautiful downhill you'll come to a small dirt pullout. Carefully cross the paved road and look for the trail to continue on the other side. This short segment comes to a dirt road; hang a left and the trail continues a short distance off to the right.

This final segment is a blast with several tight turns, big jumps, and well crafted berms. The trail will lead you through a tunnel cutting under the highway with singletrack continuing on the other side before ending at Clear Creek in Golden.

Contacts

Local Club: Colorado Mountain Bike Association

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

Shared By:

Chuck McQuade with improvements by Michael Dunn and 2 others
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.3 from 42 votes

#2

in Apex Park

#445

Overall
  4.3 from 42 votes
5 Star
50%
4 Star
31%
3 Star
17%
2 Star
2%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#2

in Apex Park

#122

in Colorado

#445

Overall
43 Views Last Month
17,110 Since Jul 28, 2017
Difficult Difficult
0%
0%
6%
11%
75%
8%
Add a Photo

Photos

The biggest drop on Enchanted Forest. There is a bypass to the right
Apr 18, 2017 near Genesee, CO
Putting the Wyatt fatbike through the paces in Colorado!
Jan 17, 2017 near Golden, CO
Rocks and roots.
Jun 22, 2019 near Golden, CO
The rock chute on Argos.
Jul 9, 2021 near Golden, CO
Sending it on lower Chimney Gulch Trail.
Jan 14, 2019 near Golden, CO
Enchanted forest is all about ripping through the trees!
Sep 16, 2016 near Genesee, CO

4 Comments

Sort by: Oldest Drop down
Newest Oldest Popular
loading

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Minor Issues 12 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Aug 14, 2024
Anonymous
Sep 5, 2022
Anton Lipkanou
Jun 11, 2021
Alex Balister
Apr 10, 2021
Wesley Hartman
13mi
Sep 13, 2020
Vincent Marias
9.1mi — 2h 00m
Jun 20, 2020
James Cezo
went the opposite way, fun techy downhill
Jun 4, 2020
Elijah Chapa
May 8, 2020
Jack McCaffery
Tough tough climb, VERY rewarding downhill. Would do again (hopefully faster) 9.2mi — 2h 00m

Nearby Recommended Routes

Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started