Apex Mountain Bike Ride

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Difficulty: Difficult
Length: 9.1 miles / 14.6 km
Duration: 1-3 hours

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Overview: On odd-numbered calendar days, bicyclists must travel one way on certain segments of the trail. This trail guide describes a combination of trails that you can follow on those odd-numbered days.

On even-numbered days, all of the trails are multidirectional, i.e. you can ride any way you want.

Directions to trailhead: From Denver, take 6th Ave west toward Lakewood. Go about 9 miles. Turn left onto US-40 (Colfax Avenue). Go about 1 mile and turn right onto Heritage Road. In about 100 yards, take the first left turn that you see (it is unmarked). This leads you to the lower parking lot of Heritage Square. Continue straight for about 1/10 mile. You will see a port-a-pottie and the trailhead kiosk for Apex Park.

Trail Stats
Distance: about 9.1 miles
Elevation gain: about 1850 feet
Highest elevation on ride: almost 7400 feet
Starting elevation on ride: about 6400 feet

Tips: Keep in mind this trail description is one way to incorporate most of the trails while following the mandatory one way direction on certain sections of the trail.

On even numbered calendar days, you can ride all of the trails in any direction you want. Try riding down the sections that are uphill only on odd numbered days.

This is a multiuse trail and often has a high amount of traffic. Be courteous to others and watch your speed on the downhills.

It is possible to link this trail up with the Lookout Mountain/Chimney Gulch Trail to make an even longer, more epic ride. Please refer to my guide on the Lookout Mountain/Chimney Gulch ride for more details.

Points of Interest

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Parking lot off of Heritage Road

This is the sign in the parking lot. Please read and follow the rules. Biking is one way on odd numbered calendar days. You can also grab a trail map here.

Take the singletrack that starts near this sign. It climbs briefly and passes by the upper parking lot. You will also cross a short bridge.

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0.1 miles

You will see a sign for the Apex Trail on your left. Take this trail.

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0.3 miles

You will come to the intersection with the Argos Trail, a new section of trail just built in 2010. Continue straight on the Apex Trail.

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0.8 miles

This is the intersection with the Pick' N Sledge Trail. Continue straight on the Apex Trail. This is the only allowed direction on this section of trail on odd numbered calendar days. This section is technically very difficult, especially in the uphill direction that you have to go on odd numbered days. You may have to get off of your bike a couple of times.

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1.5 miles

Intersection with Sluicebox Trail. Continue straight on Apex Trail, heading towards the Enchanted Forest.

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1.7 miles

Intersection with the Hardscrabble Trail, a new trail also built in 2010. Continue straight on the Apex Trail.

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1.8 miles

Cross over the small bridge and continue on the Enchanted Forest Trail. On odd numbered calendar days, this is the only direction that you can go (uphill). Some of the sections are steep but most of it is rideable. Try the Enchanted Forest Trail going downhill on even numbered days; it is way more fun.

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3.1 miles

The Enchanted Forest Trail rejoins the Apex Trail. Congratulations, you have made it to the top of the Enchanted Forest Trail. Turn right onto the Apex Trail and enjoy the fun singletrack downhill. You have earned it!

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4 miles

Intersection with the Hardscrabble Trail. Continue straight on the trail.

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4.3 miles

Intersection with the Sluicebox Trail. Go left (uphill) on the Sluicebox Trail. This is another technical uphill climb, but fortunately it is fairly short.

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4.5 miles

Intersection with the Grubstake and Pick'N Sledge Trails. Go left up the Grubstake Trail.

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4.7 miles

Intersection with the Bonanza Trail. Continue on the Grubstake Trail. Have fun on the short switchback downhill section.

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5.6 miles

Intersection with the other end of the Bonanza Trail. Continue straight on the Grubstake Loop as it rolls uphill to the intersection with the other end of the Pick' N Sledge Trail at 6.1 miles.

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6.1 miles

Intersection with the other end of the Pick' N Sledge Trail. Enjoy the view over Denver. When you are ready, continue straight (downhill) on to the Pick' N Sledge Trail. This is a technical singletrack downhill.

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6.7 miles

Intersection with the top of the Argos Trail. Turn left onto the Argos Trail and enjoy your final singletrack downhill. Watch your speed as there may be uphill traffic.

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8.8 miles

You are back at the intersection with the Apex Trail near the beginning of the ride (POI #3). Turn left back onto the Apex Trail and return to the lower parking lot. Total ride length will be about 9.1 miles.

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Top of Apex Trail

You can connect the Apex Trail with the top of the Lookout Mountain/Chimney Gulch ride (see my guide on this ride for more information). Just cross Lookout Mountain Road and continue on the singletrack that parallels Colorow Road.