The trail starts out in a meadow, followed quickly by a fairly easy climb up the side of the mesa with some switchbacks. Once at the top of the mesa, there is a loop which can be ridden either direction. Riding it twice and then descending will make it a 5 mile total ride.<br />
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The trail is fast, slightly rocky single track with no technical obstacles. There is one switchback with exposure on the side, and it sneaks up on you when riding counter-clockwise.<br />
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The city of Castle Rock received a grant to expand the trail system and they hope to add some more technical terrain at the top and maybe a trials course, so stay tuned.<br />
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This trail is typically open year-round, weather permitting.<br />
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Watch for rattlesnakes! I saw two on my first ride there.
This starts from the same parking lot as Rhyolite Bike Park:<br /><br />http://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails/rhyolite-bike-park.html<br /><br /><br /><br />From I-25 take exit 181 for Wilcox St/Plum Creek Parkway.<br /><br />Proceed left under the I-25 overpass, and then at the light turn right onto the frontage road.<br /><br />Drive past the gas stations, car dealership, and abandoned-looking restaurant, then look for the Rhyolite Regional Park sign and turn left. <br /><br />Drive across the bridge and over the hill and the parking lot for the trail is on the other side, on the left. It is well marked.<br /><br /><br /><br />From the parking lot, go around the bathrooms to the left on the cement path, the singletrack trailhead is on the opposite side of the cement "circle" and is well marked.
http://www.singletracks.com/item.php?c=1&i=3500