This is a tough but rewarding ride. Some insane climbs and some killer downhill sections all of which can be ridden! Lots of technical rocky sections. You ride through open meadows. lodgepole and aspen forests . Some double track ,and sections of fine singletrack. Route finding is difficult on Van Eden property but hopefully with time the trail will get worn in.
From the parking lot ride up the road (F.R. 194) climbing over the waterbars. This section is steep but short. I always feel like Iím going to blow up. Turn right at the first intersection (F.R.194.2)cross the creek if there is one. As you enter the meadow look for Barbour Fork Trail (#48) on the right. Follow this singletrack a couple miles until it comes back out on F,R. 194.2 turn left this section is called collarbone alley. When you reach the valley, cross the creek and climb up to Van Eden Meadow on F.R.194.2. From here the route finding becomes more difficult due to the number of trails in the area. You basically make a loop around the meadow pick up a trail on the south side of the meadow back to the start. Hopefully we will have a gps track and this section marked soon. You can always return back on the road.
Take I-70 west of Denver to Idaho Springs exit #241 left on Miner Street just past Safeway , left on Soda Creek past the hot springs continue past the dump to the parking lot just before the forest service gate. About 3 miles total from I.S
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