Rampart Range Reservoir Trail
Directions to trailhead: From
Team Telecycle go north through parking lot, behind McDonald's
(Baldwin Street), past high school (Rampart Range Road), 3 miles
to fork in road (left fork to Denver; right fork to Colorado
Springs). Take the right fork and climb 1.5 miles to four way
intersection. Turn right and go 2 miles to Rampart Ski Touring
(and Mountain Bike) Trailhead on left side.
The following map and key are oriented to
riding the reservoir loop clockwise. Mileage is from the
trailhead back to the trailhead. The reservoir loop can be ridden
in either direction, however, here are three good reasons to ride
it clockwise:
A) It's more rideable.
B) Less chance of blind bicycle to bicycle encounters
C) Your drive train will generally hang downhill which makes it less susceptible to damage.
Numbers Correspond with Obvious Landmarks:
1) Rampart Ski Touring (and Mountain Bike) Trailhead
- 0 miles. Enter through gate and head downhill on road.
2) Pipeline Spillway - 1 mile. Bear left and
continue on north side of spillway. Note: This water is pumped
all the way from the Continental Divide.
3) The Bridge - 1.5 miles. This is the start
and end of the reservoir loop. Go straight ahead to do the loop
clockwise. Turn right and cross the bridge to do the loop
counterclockwise.
4) Old Cabin on left - 1.75 miles.
5) The first of a handful of unclearable sections - 5 miles.
6) The Trees - 6 miles. The trail squeezes
through some small trees. A cool spot on a hot day.
7) The Post - 6.3 miles. Wooden post and trail intersection.
8) Suckers View - 7 miles. The dam looks close, but you still have a ways to go.
9) The Dip - 7.25 miles. You may have to
traverse up and around the rock when the water is high.
10 A,B,C) Triple Squeeze - 7.5-7.75 miles.
Three tight spots fairly close to each other. All MIGHT be
clearable, but very technical.
11) Submerged Rock - 8 miles
12) Dam - 8.25 miles. Cross the dam.
13) Wildcat Wayside Sign (Pike National Forest) - 9 miles. The trail
continues 10 yards past the sign, on the right. You may take the
road back to the trailhead at this point. Though less technical,
this route is longer and includes substantial climbing.
14) Stone Culvert - 9.5 miles
15) Trail Intersection - 9.75 miles. Bear
right, but note the water spigot to the left. This spigot has
been known to be unreliable, but try it.
16) The Notch - 9.75 miles. Bear up through
the notch in the rocks. Stand your bike on its rear wheel and
push through the notch.
17) Picnic Peninsula - 10 miles. The next 1/2
mile is developed with picnic areas accessible from a road above.
There are many trails and turns through this section. The loop
trail generally rides the land contour through here.
18 A,B) Stone Culverts - 10.25 miles Cross
culvert A and continue along land contour across culvert B.
19) Log Jump - 10.5 miles. Should be clearable in all but the wettest
conditions.
20) Big Ring Boogie - 10.75 miles. The next mile is FAST!
21) Tree Down - 11.25 miles. Watch Your Speed!
22) Trail Ends in 1/4 mile of sign. Continue straight ahead.
3) The Bridge - 12 miles. Cross the bridge,
turn left and climb back to the trailhead ...or... take another lap!
1) Trailhead - 13.5 miles