Highlands Ranch Trails?

[lanruss]

I have an hour + to kill while my daughter is at VBall practice in highlands ranch today. I found a map or two, but have never really heard anything about the trails in HR. Anyone have a suggestions as far as decent routes, or is it even worth bringing my bike?

[wmodavis]

There are some nice single track trails up in the HRCA Back Country area.
You can dounload maps here Trails

[MCS5280]

The HR trails are extremely fun IMO. I ride them 2-3 times a week since they are a few minutes from my house. I would park at the upper parking lot of Mountain Vista High School and do the following route.

Head south out of the parking lot past the football field and take your first left. Pass through the fence and turn right onto the East West Trail. Climb the East West Trail all the way to the top of 6310 and enjoy the view for a few minutes (this is a good warmup, especially with all the washed out sections from the rains last week). Drop back down the way you came but veer right onto Rocky Gulch trail (you will see the gate on your right as you start to descend), and do the following loop.

Rocky Gulch -> Buck Snort (cross over to the other side of the East West Trail to get to this)-> Tenderfoot -> Outlaw -> turn around and go back up Outlaw -> Longhorn Ledge -> Cowboy Up

From there you can drop back down the East West Trail and return to your car. There is nothing technical about this trail system, just miles smooth fun with some decent climbs/descents. Watch out at the bottom of Outlaw. There are a ton of blind corners where its easy to crash into other bikers.

[lanruss]

Perfect, I'll give that a shot. Thank you (both)!

[guacamole]

Don't get caught by the trail nazis. HR residents don't wanna share their trails, but that doesn't stop them from riding Jeffco or other trails.

[wmodavis]

There is a difference between public and private trails. And g is somewhat correct in that HRCA Backcountry trails and are for Highlands Ranch Residents who can show their recreation membership card. Jeffco trails are public trails therefore everyone has access to them. Different ball game. Some people respect property rights and some do not.

[PBR me!]

Don't get caught by the trail nazis. HR residents don't wanna share their trails, but that doesn't stop them from riding Jeffco or other trails.

pshhh! no kidding _ pm me you can have my HR card! as ill be moving!

and btw- you just rode the hundo and still have energy!!?? i only swept 50 miles and im kinda cooked- but picking up all that trash and markers will do that to ya!!

[mikester222]

It's pretty simple guys - In ADDITION to paying normal property taxes like everyone does (which are substantial here in HR / Douglas County) residents in HR pay a quartly fee of $127 (that' $508 / year) that's goes STRICTLY to building and maintaining the 4 resident only Recreation Center / Gyms, as well as all the walking/hiking/biking trails and other park facilities and ball fields in HR. I.e. none of these items is funding for and/or maintained by ANY other source of FEDERAL/STATE/LOCAL Taxes. So YES, access to these things is RESTRICTED, including the Back Country and other mountain biking / hiking trails as they are all 100% paid for out of special funding out of local residents pockets. This is NO DIFFERENT, than if you have a special zoning / payment setup in your local neighborhood, wherever it is you live, for say a local swimming pool that you can use and I cannot.

[MCS5280]

It's pretty simple guys - In ADDITION to paying normal property taxes like everyone does (which are substantial here in HR / Douglas County) residents in HR pay a quartly fee of $127 (that' $508 / year) that's goes STRICTLY to building and maintaining the 4 resident only Recreation Center / Gyms, as well as all the walking/hiking/biking trails and other park facilities and ball fields in HR. I.e. none of these items is funding for and/or maintained by ANY other source of FEDERAL/STATE/LOCAL Taxes. So YES, access to these things is RESTRICTED, including the Back Country and other mountain biking / hiking trails as they are all 100% paid for out of special funding out of local residents pockets. This is NO DIFFERENT, than if you have a special zoning / payment setup in your local neighborhood, wherever it is you live, for say a local swimming pool that you can use and I cannot.

Welcome to the MTBR Front Range forum. I can tell that you will get along well with everyone here.

[SkaredShtles]

It's a valid point, though. Ken-Caryl Valley is the same way. The residents pay *EXTRA* to build and maintain PRIVATE trails. I don't begrudge them not wanting the public on them.

Luckily I have a number of friends up there I can call upon.

[richccc]

Rather then fight about it , just post up to anyone who lives there and ride with them, By the way the trails are not that great just drive past it and go to ridge line in castle rock or ride the trails in jefferson county that blow it away.

[Biopace]

It's a valid point, though. Ken-Caryl Valley is the same way. The residents pay *EXTRA* to build and maintain PRIVATE trails. I don't begrudge them not wanting the public on them.

Luckily I have a number of friends up there I can call upon.

Most of the new trails cut in KCV is done by a group of resident volunteers (mostly bikers). The rangers that patrol the trails also handle the majority of the maintenance.

[SkaredShtles]

Most of the new trails cut in KCV is done by a group of resident volunteers (mostly bikers). The rangers that patrol the trails also handle the majority of the maintenance.

Interesting. I was told that professional trail builders were hired to build the Lost Canyon Trail, which I thought was the most recent one built... but I haven't been there in awhile.

[WaySlowWhitey]

It's pretty simple guys - In ADDITION to paying normal property taxes like everyone does (which are substantial here in HR / Douglas County) residents in HR pay a quartly fee of $127 (that' $508 / year) that's goes STRICTLY to building and maintaining the 4 resident only Recreation Center / Gyms, as well as all the walking/hiking/biking trails and other park facilities and ball fields in HR. I.e. none of these items is funding for and/or maintained by ANY other source of FEDERAL/STATE/LOCAL Taxes. So YES, access to these things is RESTRICTED, including the Back Country and other mountain biking / hiking trails as they are all 100% paid for out of special funding out of local residents pockets. This is NO DIFFERENT, than if you have a special zoning / payment setup in your local neighborhood, wherever it is you live, for say a local swimming pool that you can use and I cannot.

I live in Castle Rock and pay dues that include creation and maintenance of a trail system yet we don't limit who can/can't enjoy the Ridgeline system

[richccc]

I live in Castle Rock and pay dues that include creation and maintenance of a trail system yet we don't limit who can/can't enjoy the Ridgeline system

I agree but if you live in castle rock as i do myself why would you want to ride at Highlands Ranch. Hidden mesa is better then highlands ranch let alone Ridgeline.

[PBR me!]

Nah - ridgeline is no fun- nothing to be seen here ......

[richccc]

Nah - ridgeline is no fun- nothing to be seen here ......

Yeah ridgeline sucks, go ride at highlands ranch.

[PBR me!]

Yeah ridgeline sucks, go ride at highlands ranch.

[jaycastlerock]

Who would want to ride in a circle anyway. Ride the Pie to Pie. Go to Anthonys Pizza at Santa Fe and what ever that street is by the stadium. Get a slice and a beer. Ride the Douglas county trail from there to the anthony's at Santa Fe and Happy Canyon, get a slice/Beer go back north. I normally do it from the south -north-south but your choice. Ridgeline is a bore. Also stay away from Indian Creek and Ringtail. HORRIBLE trail system. No scenery, all flat, just lame.

[richccc]

Who would want to ride in a circle anyway. Ride the Pie to Pie. Go to Anthonys Pizza at Santa Fe and what ever that street is by the stadium. Get a slice and a beer. Ride the Douglas county trail from there to the anthony's at Santa Fe and Happy Canyon, get a slice/Beer go back north. I normally do it from the south -north-south but your choice. Ridgeline is a bore. Also stay away from Indian Creek and Ringtail. HORRIBLE trail system. No scenery, all flat, just lame.

[gps_dr]

The Douglas E/W trail goes thru the HCRA back country area (public trail).
The private trails cross it in a number of places.

DEW and other Highlands trails can be found @ GeoBiking.Org
Go to the "Colorado" page to download Google Earth, Garmin or DeLorme Maps or tracks/routes/waypoints for over 2,000 miles of Front Range trails.

[SunnyinCO]

The primary reason why the Highlands Ranch Association trails are "member only" is because of liability. I do not remember the exact verbiage but it has something to do with being a private organization, the HRCA has more liability exposure than a municipality.

As someone above mentioned, if a non-resident is looking to ride the trails post a message and try to meet up with someone. The trails are not "Epic" but to be able to ride from my house and be on dirt within 4 minutes and ride for 3+ hours never seeing pavement to a nice thing to have IMO.

[ktm2us]

Love the trial for lazy day ride, where I do not have to drive, and have little window...about 18 miles of pretty flat ride for sub 2 hours...love it.