The Colorado Creek Ride
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By: Liam Wescott
This is a great ride to do if you're a) in shape, b) want to get out
into the
boonies and c) like riding on roots and through lots of mud. It
is
exactly 20 miles long and there is nearly 3000 feet of elevation gain
on this
ride. A determined rider or group of riders could easily complete
this
ride in under three hours, but most people take at least four hours to
do
it. It's a technically challenging ride, and the descents are not
for the
faint of heart so it's really not a ride for beginners to
attempt. If
everything goes right (i.e., it's a dry year) and you're in top-notch
condition, you could very easily complete this ride in under three
hours, if
you push yourself. If you take it slow and mellow, be prepared to
be out
on the trail for at least four hours. NOTE: the trail can be
very, very
bumpy, rooty, and gnarly. A full
suspension is not absolutely necessary for this ride, but if you have
one, you
will appreciate it! Also, make sure your brakes are in good
working
order. You will get much use out of them! Remember to bring
a fair
amount of water and food with you because you'll burn up quite a few
calories. Also, bring lots of bug dope! Finally, this ride
is not a
whole lot of fun in the rain, so it's best to wait for a day when it's
not
raining.
You start this ride at the Colorado Creek trailhead, which is at about
31.4
Mile Chena Hot Springs Road. You cross over a little bridge at
one of the
tributaries or forks of the Chena and the trailhead is off to the
left.
It's a bit hard to miss so look for it carefully. Park in the
parking
area and head on up the trail.
The first mile or so is generally muddy, bumpy, rutty, and some of it
has to be
walked. This trail is open to ATV's, so be prepared for deep
ruts,
puddles, and the like. Walk around or through them if you have
to.
At about a mile into the ride, you come to the first, grinding
hill. This
can be ridden up to the top, but most people will walk all or parts of
it. It's about three-quarters of a mile long. It tops out
along the
ridgetop. For about the next 10 or 11 miles or so, the terrain of
the
trail you're on is roughly this: up, down, up down, grinding up, quick
descent,
ride over roots, bumps, etc. up, up, down, down, and so on. There
are
several large puddles and muddy sections on this trail and if it is a
wet year,
you can count on getting your feet wet and/or muddy. There are a
few
little side detours here and there, but basically stay on the main
trail and
look for the orange or red diamond trail markers, especially the ones
that say
"cabin" on them. This is the trail to the Stiles Creek cabin.
At about 7.5 miles into the ride, the trail takes a major fork.
Take the
left (downhill) fork, following the signs as you do, for a quick,
wicked
descent that takes you right to the Stiles Creek cabin. If this
is your
destination, YAY! you've made it! If not, take the trail heading
on past
the cabin. NOTE: I didn't map the exact location of the cabin,
having
only my memory to go on, so the actual location of the cabin is
probably a bit
to the west of where I have it mapped. Watch for the occasional
mile
markers and/or the red or orange diamond-shaped trail markers!
Basically,
stay on this trail for the rest of the ride. There are a number
of
grinding ascents, so be prepared to lean into the saddle and do some
heavy
exertion. The descents on this trail are fun but pretty quick and
can be
done at some measure of speed by an experienced rider.
Finally, after all these ups and downs, at about 12.6 miles, you come
to the
last killer descent. It's a little over a mile and a half long
and can be
ridden all the way. However, in order to descend this hill at
speed, a)
your brakes MUST be in working order and b) you have to know what
you're
doing. Stacking on this descent isn't a pleasant prospect!
The
descent is generally very bumpy, rooty, and has lots of ravines and
gullies. Eventually, it puts you out in a short stretch of swamp
you have
to cross, similar to the one at the front of the ride through which you
walked
to get to the first killer hill.
You come out to what used to be a road, but as of July, 2005 has been
widened
and hyrdo-axed into a major swath through the woods. Some of it
can be
ridden, but most of it you'll probably have to walk. It's about a
half-mile
long and it puts you out by an unnamed gravel pit. Stop here,
rest, ride
your bike into the sanctified, blessed, and holy waters of Lake Unnamed
Gravel
Pit, dip into those waters, clean yourself and your bike of the mud
you're
hauling with you, and then ride on around the gravel pit to Chena Hot
Springs
Road.
Turn right and it's about four or five miles of road riding back to
your
car. Congratulations! You've completed the Colorado Creek
Ride!