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A challenging but rewarding trail with a great technical descent.


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Map Key

7.0

Miles

11.2

KM

95%

Singletrack

8,853' 2,698 m

High

7,629' 2,325 m

Low

1,508' 460 m

Up

1,511' 460 m

Down

8%

Avg Grade (5°)

27%

Max Grade (15°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Allowed

You'll need a CO Parks and Wildlife pass to park a vehicle. Day passes are self-pay and cost $9 (cash-only) Beware of hiker-only trails.

Overview

A technical mountain biker's dream, this loop couples crushingly steep, rock and root strewn climbing with a blazing, rowdy descent. This is the perfect "short lap" at Golden Gate as it's closer to town and has great variety. But don't let the mileage fool you...this is a butt-kicker!

Need to Know

Avoid this loop if you're not interested in very technical challenges and/or pushing your bike uphill.
Understatement. This trail needs serious work it is completely washed out.

Description

Ride clockwise. Park at either Nott Creek or Bridge Creek. The south side is exposed and rolling and the backside is rocky, technical and fun as can be. This one can be linked with other mountain bike friendly trails as well.

Starting at Nott Creek, head south out of the parking lot. Until you hit the doubletrack, this portion of the trail is exposed and loose, then it rolls a little with easy technical features. Speed down the doubletrack over the creek and start climbing past the lake, cabin, and camp sites. Once the singletrack turns back to doubletrack, the climb becomes more technical.

When you reach the saddle at the top of the climb, the ride changes quite a bit. You'll end up on a rocky, rooted, bombed out technical trail that zooms you through the woods and over a creek multiple times. There are many stream crossings, some rideable, some not so much. Once you hit doubletrack again it's pretty much over and you grind back to the car.

Don't forget to pay the State Park!

Contacts

Shared By:

Matt Thoele with improvements by Francis C and 2 others

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 63 votes

#302

Overall
  4.0 from 63 votes
5 Star
43%
4 Star
25%
3 Star
21%
2 Star
6%
1 Star
5%
Recommended Route Rankings

#92

in Colorado

#302

Overall
20 Views Last Month
15,619 Since Jun 8, 2013
Difficult Difficult

0%
0%
0%
8%
92%
0%

Photos

One of many creek crossings on the Mountain Lion descent
Aug 4, 2015 near Coal Creek, CO
If you've never ridden Mountain Lion then this is what you can expect. A video is worth a 1,000 words....
Aug 21, 2017 near Coal Creek, CO
A homestead (the Tallman Ranch) dating back to 1876.
Sep 19, 2014 near Coal Creek, CO
The aspens in their glory!
Sep 19, 2014 near Coal Creek, CO
The descent kicks off with a chunky start on Mountain Lion.
Jun 15, 2017 near Coal Creek, CO
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
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