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A great intermediate loop for non-peak times.


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Map Key

5.1

Miles

8.2

KM

75%

Singletrack

8,847' 2,696 m

High

8,205' 2,501 m

Low

648' 198 m

Up

647' 197 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

19%

Max Grade (11°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Allowed

Features Views

Overview

If Hard Money isn't your bag, this loop combines the easiest climb with a fun, flowy descent. Just know if you attempt this on a weekend or other busy time, your descent on Millsite Trail will be interrupted with lots uphill traffic - please remember to yield!

Description

Start with a gentle warm-up on the Historic Gilpin Tramway. The old railway bed makes for a great grade to spin the legs, see mining artifacts and great views.

At two miles, you'll turn on Easy Money. Now you are climbing, but the grade is still reasonable with lots of switchbacks. When you get to the Paymaster Trail intersection, make sure you keep left to stay on Easy Money. You'll be climbing Easy Money for almost a mile to access Millsite Trail. Take a left on Millsite Trail - it looks like you are still climbing but just around the corner the fun descent starts.

Be mindful of uphill traffic, this is a preferred way to climb to Hard Money. Millsite Trail is flowy and fast with some downhill optimized b-lines.

If you wanted to extend your ride, continuing on Easy Money as an out-and-back to the summit of Maryland Mountain is the same intermediate level of riding and adds three miles total to the ride.

History & Background

Maryland Mountain has played a vital role in the history of Black Hawk since the City was founded in 1864. Located directly northwest of the Black Hawk central business district, it is bounded on the north and east by Hwy 119, Chase Gulch to the south, with private ranch lands to the west.

Throughout the late 1800s and early 1900s, this area was a bustling industrial site filled with mines, mills, roads, and tramway railroads. The mining scars have since transformed into a re-forested mountain landscape and in 2020 became home to a world class trail system.

Contacts

Shared By:

Wendy Sweet

Trail Ratings

  4.1 from 15 votes

#1841

Overall
  4.1 from 15 votes
5 Star
27%
4 Star
60%
3 Star
13%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#342

in Colorado

#1,841

Overall
16 Views Last Month
2,770 Since May 31, 2021
Intermediate Intermediate

7%
7%
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Photos

Nice climbing switchbacks at the start of Easy Money
May 26, 2021 near Central…, CO
Original stone retaining wall from the gold rush era.
May 26, 2021 near Central…, CO
Berms berms berms!
May 20, 2021 near Central…, CO
Steep berms and alt-lines
May 26, 2021 near Central…, CO
Switchbacks optimized for climbing
May 26, 2021 near Central…, CO
Easy Money goes through an aspen grove
May 26, 2021 near Central…, CO
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 10 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Sep 4, 2024
Christopher Howe
Jul 4, 2024
Valerie Reed
Jun 4, 2024
Atsuko Ohtake
Oct 10, 2023
David Huskey
Aug 27, 2023
Garrett B
0h 43m
Aug 6, 2023
Mathijs Affourtit
Jul 22, 2023
Charles Markman
May 29, 2023
Kyra Flores
3rd mtn bike ride and favorite so far. Struggled with the climb and stopping for switchbacks. Will attempt again. 5.1mi
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