Possibly the most spectacular scenery on any close in Boulder ride! Tack on to that the fall colors in the trees and it just doesn’t get any better then this!!!

Start at Southern Sun parking lot in the Table Mesa Plaza. Take the frontage road south out to Marshall. This is an easy ride with little traffic. Heading right at the stop sign up the hill to Hwy. 93. Alternatively, you can park at the Marshall Mesa parking are just east of the intersection of Hwy 93 and 170.

If you want to keep it strictly a road bike ride take Eldorado Springs Drive right on into Eldorado Springs. It’s a nice steady uphill climb not very steep for about 3 miles. When you pass the swimming pool you get to the entrance of the park. It costs $3.00 per bike so be prepared but it’s worth every penny.  Here the Canyon walls soar to dizzying heights and usually you’ll see the rock climbers clutching to the side of the rock as they slowly make their way up the cliff-side.  This section is a good climb and you can take it all the way to the end where you’ll find a gift shop with conveniently located restrooms. On the way back do not miss the FOWLER Trail. This is a hard pack trail easy for mtn bikes but even if you have to walk your road bike take this trail! The trail goes along evenly but the canyon drops off dramatically and the views are just breathless. It’s debatable just how far you can go by bike on this trail so watch the signs.  The route back is almost all downhill so it’s an easy cruise back to Hwy 93 except for one last rise.

Mtn Bikers can take an alternative route out of the Marshall Mesa Trailhead parking lot. Head west on the trail up a hill which is pretty rough at points. This will take you to Hwy 93, carefully cross the hwy and take the trail heading west. When there is water in this creek it appears to be running up hill. Take this trail west for 2 plus miles until you get to a trail intersection. Take a right at this point and it will dump you out onto the road for a short ride up into Eldorado Springs. The rest of the ride is just a duplication of the road bike ride.

Combining the spectacular canyon views, rushing creek along the roadside, and fall colors in the trees all I can say is WOW!!! This is without a doubt one of the most spectacular rides within a short distance of Boulder.

Donald (mid Oct 07)