Climbing - 1365 feet
BGR (Brad's Gravel Rating) - 45 (sand!)
CRF (Cage Rage Factor) - low-
Scenery - good
Location - North of Palmer Lake, West of I25
Parking - Spruce Mountain Trailhead, just north of Palmer Lake
General Description -
So, you like wind, sand, and hoof prints? Well then, this might be your little slice of heaven. For the 95% of other riders, these trails can be an exercise in persistence and patience. So, why bother? On occasion, the stars align and 1 or more of the terrible triad are absent. When this happens, you get to experience riding blissful trails through the high plains with nary a soul in sight.
Detailed route description
Park at the Spruce Mountain Trailhead (there are several other TH's you could use, Spruce Meadows, Greenland, County Line Rd).
Head west and then immediately south and uphill.
Head downhill then through the tunnel under the road.
Take a left and follow the trail to the Spruce Meadows TH.
Exit the parking lot and head right on the gravel road.
Cross two sets of railroad tracks then turn right and head to the Greenland TH.
This loop can be done either direction, but is described CW.
Head left and then left again, going uphill.
Basically, keep climbing 'til you get to an old gravestone.
At this point, the trail heads right and down.
Eventually, you come to a T, where you head right and parallel the tracks back to the TH.
At the trailhead, retrace your steps back to the Spruce Meadows lot, where you will go right on the semi-obscure singletrack.
Cross a gravel road and get back on singletrack.
Follow this til you hit a dirt road which you follow all the way back to Spruce Mountain Road.
Cross the paved road and head back onto the singletrack to your left.
Cross a couple gravel roads and head all the way back to the Spruce Mountain lot.
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