Welcome! Sign in or Register
TC Homepage : Trail of the Month September 9, 2010
Trail Information | Trail Map | Estes Park Hotels | Archive
 
Sourdough Trail - Boulder County
Written By: TrailCentral
Posted: July 15, 2002
 

July in Colorado has a tradition of being extremely hot. This year is no different and in many ways worse. With lack of rain and a string of days reaching 90 degrees or hotter, July has been punishing mountain bikers in our state. When choosing Trail of the Month we wanted to ride a trail that had plenty of shade. That meant we needed to find a trail with thick tree cover. We also wanted a challenging singletrack that we could ride the entire way. Although we enjoy a good hike-a-bike like we featured last month, we also like to feel challenged with out feeling like we have to dismount. Sourdough trail near Ward gave us just what we were looking for.

We started Sourdough trail near the University of Colorado Research Station. Don't expect much of a warm up at the beginning of the trail. As soon as you start the trail you encounter rocky singeltrack with a mild but consistent elevation gain. If you need the warm up I would recommend riding up and down the dirt road that gives you trail access. Once you are sufficiently warmed up jump on and then you can really enjoy the trail right from the start. It is apparent that this trail gets a lot of use. There is an obvious track that appears on many sections of the trail where the loose rock has been pushed to the left and right of the track which leaves clear riding down the middle. That means you can work on your bike handling skills by staying on the ribbon thin clear track. Don't be afraid to jump off into the loose rock when you feel comfortable, this will only help your handling skills as well as your riding balance.

If your looking for views of the surrounding mountain peaks you will not get them. This is a thick forest you are riding through so you know what that means... shade! You may not be treated to spectacular views on the horizon but you are treated to a cool ride even while riding in mid July. The forest offers a great canopy while you take on this couple hour ride and you may even notice there is green in the pictures. Even with the extreme drought, there have been a few areas along the trail that have remained green.

The wildfire near Estes Park has caused a definite smell of smoke in the air. The smoke could cause some eye and throat problems along the ride to those that are sensitive to it. If you are able to adjust to the smoke you will really enjoy this trail. It is one of the locals favorites because of the narrow singletrack and the loose rocks that challenge you along the ride. This is a more challenging ride and don't forget that you will be riding at a higher altitude. Be sure to rest when you need rest as well as bring plenty of fluids. Between the smoke and the altitude your body will go through a lot of water.


Back to Top
 
Comments Powered By Intense Debate
*Annonymous comments are allowed or you can login using your Intense Debate email/password.
 
If you liked this write-up, please read the other Trail of the Month reviews.
October 2000 - Elk Meadow - Jefferson County Photos | Trail Info | Review
February 2001 - Hall Ranch - Boulder CountyMap | Photos | Trail Info | Review
March 2001 - Green Mountain - Jefferson CountyMap | Photos | Trail Info | Review
May 2001 - Horsetooth Park - Larimer CountyMap | Photos | Trail Info | Review
June 2001 - Walker Ranch - Boulder CountyMap | Photos | Trail Info | Review
July 2001 - Coney Flats - Boulder County Photos | Trail Info | Review
August 2001 - John's Loop - Summit County Photos | Trail Info | Review
September 2001 - Waterton Canyon - Douglas CountyMap | Trail Info | Review
October 2001 - Chrystal Larson Trail - Hinsdale County Trail Info | Review
November 2001 - Jamestown Loop - Boulder County Trail Info | Review
December 2001 - The Best of the Year Review
March 2002 - Rabbit Mountain - Boulder CountyMap | Trail Info | Review
April 2002 - Matthews/Winters Park - Jefferson CountyMap | Trail Info | Review
May 2002 - Steve's Loop - Mesa CountyMap | Trail Info | Review
June 2002 - Summit Trail - Larimer CountyMap | Trail Info | Review
July 2002 - Sourdough Trail - Boulder CountyMap | Trail Info | Review
August 2002 - Boonedoggle Trail - Summit CountyMap | Trail Info | Review
September 2002 - Heil Valley Ranch - Boulder CountyMap | Trail Info | Review
October 2002 - Cemetery Loop - Gilpin CountyMap | Trail Info | Review
November 2002 - Rustlers Loop - Mesa CountyMap | Trail Info | Review
December 2002 - Year in Review Review
March 2003 - Palmer Park - El Paso CountyMap | Trail Info | Review
April 2003 - Edge Loop - Mesa CountyMap | Trail Info | Review
May 2003 - Young Gulch - Larimer CountyMap | Trail Info | Review
July 2003 - Ceran St. Vrain - Boulder CountyMap | Trail Info | Review
August 2003 - Old Fall River Road - Larimer CountyMap | Trail Info | Review
October 2003 - Kenosha Pass - Park CountyMap | Trail Info | Review
December 2003 - Apex/Chimney/Lookout - Jefferson CountyMap | Trail Info | Review
May 2004 - Amasa Back - Moab, UTMap | Photos | Trail Info | Review
June 2004 - Telegraph Trail - La Plata County Photos | Trail Info | Review
July 2004 - Sol Vista Trails - Grand County Photos | Trail Info | Review
August 2004 - Scout Trail - Garfield County Photos | Trail Info | Review
September 2004 - Tour de Front Range Photos | Review
October 2004 - Denver Velo Swap - Denver County Review
November 2004 - Fruita in Fall - Mesa County Photos | Review
January 2005 - Green Mountain - Jefferson CountyMap | Photos | Trail Info | Review
May 2005 - Devil's Backbone - Larimer CountyMap | Photos | Trail Info | Review
June 2005 - Mountain Lion Trail - Jefferson CountyMap | Photos | Trail Info | Review
August 2005 - San Juan Mountains - La Plata County Photos | Review
September 2005 - Tour de Front Range 2005 Review
November 2005 - White Ranch - Jefferson CountyMap | Photos | Trail Info | Review
December 2005 - Waldo Canyon - El Paso County Photos | Trail Info | Review
January 2006 - North Table Mountain - Jefferson CountyMap | Photos | Review
February 2006 - Indoor Trainer Photos | Review
March 2006 - Marshall Mesa - Boulder CountyMap | Photos | Trail Info | Review
April 2006 - Mount Elbert - Lake CountyMap | Photos | Trail Info | Review
May 2006 - Sedona, AZ - Coconino CountyMap | Photos | Review
August 2006 - Dyke Trail - Gunnison CountyMap | Photos | Review
September 2006 - Spanish Creek - Gallatin County, MT Photos | Trail Info | Review
December 2006 - Gregory Canyon - Boulder CountyMap | Photos | Trail Info | Review
March 2007 - Amasa Back - Grand County, UTMap | Photos | Trail Info | Review
February 2008 - Betasso Loop Trails - Boulder CountyMap | Photos | Trail Info | Review
March 2008 - Mt. Bierstadt - Clear Creek CountyMap | Photos | Trail Info | Review
Search
Web TrailCentral.com