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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

  4.2 from 12 votes

#1843

Overall
  4.2 from 12 votes
5 Star
33%
4 Star
50%
3 Star
17%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#304

in Colorado

#1,843

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

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Photos

Nice climbing switchbacks at the start of Easy Money
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
Original stone retaining wall from the gold rush era.
May 26, 2021 near Central…, CO
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