Mount Falcon Mountain Bike Ride

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Length: 12.0 miles / 19.3 km

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Overview: This is a fun intermediate to advanced trail. It begins with a long 2+ mile climb that is entirely sun exposed. Then you'll get to the top where it flattens out. The best part of the trail in my opinion is the Parmalee Gulch section. This is a fun 2 mile singletrack section that makes the climb worth it.

There are many options on this trail. I describe a way that you can do almost all of the trails at Mount Falcon Park. It is in no way easy. Feel free and grab a map at the start of the trail and make up your own route.

Directions to trailhead: From Denver, take 6th Avenue (US-6 W) west for about 8.3 miles. Take the I-70 W exit toward Grand Junction. In less than a mile, and take the exit for C470 E toward Colorado Springs on your right. Take C470 E about 4.4 miles and take the ext for Morrison Road on your right. Turn right onto Morrison Road (CO-8 W) and go about 0.7 miles, passing through the town of Morrison. Turn left onto CO-8 W and go about 0.9 miles. Tun right onto Forest Ave (you will see a sign for Mount Falcon just before this turn). Go about 0.2 miles, take the first right onto Vine St and follow it for about 0.3 miles to the Mount Falcon parking lot. This is the parking lot for the lower trailhead where this ride will start.

Points of Interest

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Mount Falcon Trailhead

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Intersection with Turkey Trot Trail

Do not take the Turkey Trot Trail. This is hiker only. Continue on the Castle Trail

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Top of Turkey Trot Trail

You are about 1.3 miles from the start. The Turkey Trot trail reconnects with the Castle trail at this intersection. Continue on the Castle trail.

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Shelter at top of climb

You are about 2.4 miles from the start of the ride. At the top of the climb, you will come to a shelter. Reward yourself with a rest at the shelter, enjoy the view.

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Walker's Dream Trail intersection

Continue on Castle trail, past the Walker's Dream trail intersection. If you are overly ambitious, you can add on the Walker's Dream trail. It is only 0.3 miles long and offers a great view at the end of the trail.

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Intersection of Two Dog trail and Castle trail

Continue on Castle trail

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Intersection of Castle trail and Meadow trail

You are about 3 miles from the start of the ride. Continue on the Castle trail. You will also pass a sign on your right for the Walker Home Ruins. Feel free to stop and look at the ruins.

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Intersection of Castle trail and Meadow trail - part 2

You are about 3.4 miles from the start of the ride. The Meadow trail reconnects with the Castle trail here. Go right and continue on the Castle trail.

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Intersection of Castle trail and Parmalee Gulch trail

You are about 3.8 miles from the start of the ride. Take a left onto Parmalee Gulch trail. This is the beginning of the fun singletrack that you have worked so hard to get to. Enjoy! Parmalee Gulch trail is about 2 miles long.

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Intersection of Parmalee Gulch trail and Meadow trail

You are about 5.8 miles from the start. Hope you enjoyed the singletrack. You have many options from here. For the sake of this ride guide, I am going to get you as many miles as possible (and make the ride as hard as it can be). Take a left onto the Meadow trail, and literally in about 20 feet you will see the Tower trail (POI #10) on your left. Take the Tower trail.

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Tower trail

Take the Tower trail. This is a steep singletrack uphill. Don't hate me for taking you this way. You will enjoy the viewpoint from the Tower at the top of this trail.

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The Tower

Congratulations again. You made it to the tower. Feel free to climb the tower and enjoy the view. You deserve it!

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Eagle Eye Shelter

Feel free to check out the Eagle Eye Shelter. It has some historical importance.

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Tower trail and Meadow trail intersection

You are about 6.5 miles from the start of the ride. The Tower traiil reconnects with the Meadow trail. Once again, you have many options but I am going to make you turn right onto the Meadow trail, eventually passing POI's #10 and #9 on your way to POI #14.

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Intersection of Meadow trail and Old Ute trail

You are about 7 miles from the start of the ride. For the sake of this ride, continue on the Old Ute trail.

If you are feeling tired or short on time, continue on the Meadow trail back to the Castle trail. Take the Castle trail all the way back down to the parking lot.

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Old Ute trail sign

This is the beginning of the Old Ute trail. You can go either way because it makes a loop. For the sake of this guide, continue straight.

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Old Ute trail and Devil's Elbow intersection

You are about 7.2 miles from the start of the ride. Continue on to the Devil's Elbow trail.

Once again, if you are getting tired or running short of time, feel free to continue on the Old Ute trail and finish the Old Ute loop, skipping the Devil's Elbow section.

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Devil's Elbow loop

You are about 7.3 miles from the start of the ride. Devil's Elbow splits right and left. Feel free to go either way because the trail makes a loop and you will end up here again on your way back. The loop is about 1 mile long.

Once you have finished the loop and have returned to this point, finish the ride by going to POI #16 (I recommend going right and finishing the Old Ute trail loop), then POI #15, then POI #14, then POI #6. From POI #6 you will be back on the Castle trail. Follow the Castle trail all the way back down to the lower trailhead parking where you started the ride.

Total length of the ride as described is about 12 miles.