Three Forks Trail #2150

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views

From MTB Project:

Arguably the best biking trail in the rifle area. Mountain air at around 8,000 feet. Can be overgrown, so go in the early spring and help keep it clear. Long socks are nice for downhill if overgrown.

Drive through rifle mountain park to the end of the road past the campgrounds. Keep left instead of going of the narrow canyon after the forest signs & continue the 1/4 mile to the roundabout parking area. Begin your climb from the parking lot & climb one of the steeper/more technical 200 ft climb of the entire 5.5 miles. Descend a bit & cross a foot bridge & walk out of the ravine. Bike for a bit to the little river crossing a 1/2 mile ahead - you can sometimes ride through this depending on the water level. You'll then enter a magical valley and begin the remaining 5 mile climb to the top.

You'll climb through an open valley, followed by a couple aspen grove valleys before coming to another water crossing. Continue to climb the trail & you'll come across a couple more water crossings. Turn right and continue up the narrow valley when you get to the trail split right after one of these water crossings.

Continue up the narrow valley and it gets a bit steeper at this point. Route finding has been difficult at times from deadfall in the past, but you should be able to follow the trail up the valley. Cross the small field at the top of the valley to find the You'll eventually enter the forest again at about mile 4 before climbing the final hill & be rewarded with great views of the valley you just climbed out of. Continue up through another magical aspen grove before arriving at the open field at the top. Continue another .25 miles to the road for other great mountain meadow views - often cow infested.

Turn around and enjoy the payoff back down the mountain!