Nine thousand feet high. Ten plus miles of singletrack. Banked turns. Rolling hills. Beautiful mountain views. If you’re in decent shape and can take the altitude, there is no reason not to ride the Rampart Reservoir Trail.

Rampart Reservoir was built back in the 1960s, with the intention of providing water to nearby urban areas. And as a major side benefit, we now have a great public recreation area. Hikers and mountain bikers can make full use of the lakeside areas, and the trails are some of the best in the region.

I have hiked around the reservoir, and most of this information can apply to hiking as well. But the real fun is in taking your mountain bike along the flowing singletrack.

Trail Route

You can start your loop around the reservoir at the campground or from the north side of the dam. But the best place to start is at the Rainbow Gulch Trailhead. The trailhead is basically a wide spot in Rampart Range Road on the way to the reservoir, but there is usually plenty of parking (except on the busiest days). Hop on your bike and follow Rainbow Gulch straight downhill to the reservoir trail.

Once you reach the bottom of Rainbow Gulch, you will see an aqueduct and a medium-sized stream. Follow the stream down to the bridge and the Rampart Reservoir Trail. Most people ride the reservoir in the clockwise direction. If you choose to ride the opposite direction, be prepared to avoid oncoming riders. So for a clockwise route, head northeast from the bridge, with the reservoir on your right. From here, it is difficult to get lost. There are small trails that stray off into the many valleys, but the main trail is well traveled. Keep the reservoir on your right until you get back to where you started at the bridge.

According to my phone’s GPS application, the loop around Rampart Reservoir and back to Rainbow Gulch is a little over 13 miles. Plan for at least two hours to make the ride.

Difficulty and Condition

Rainbow Gulch Trail is wide enough for two riders side by side. But the Rampart Reservoir Trail is pure singletrack. The trail is a mix of dirt and granite gravel. There are plenty of rocks and roots, and some of the more rocky sections are very technical. But for the most part, the trail is accessible for riders of decent skill. Some sections, particularly on the north side of the reservoir, can be aerobically demanding.

When I last rode the Rampart Reservoir Trail some areas of the singletrack were partially washed out. There were also several trees downed across the trail. Park personnel usually seem to keep the trail well maintained, but keep your speed in check in case you need to stop like I did for a washed out area or a downed tree.

Oct 2011 Update - Most of the dead trees that were downed across the trail have been cleared. (Thanks park people!) But the wash-out sections on the north side of the reservoir have gotten worse. There are two parts that are particularly bad, the first one between miles 1.5 - 2 and the last one around mile 7.

How to Get There

The nearest town is Woodland Park, Colorado. From the intersection of Highway 24 and Baldwin Street (look for the McDonald’s), drive north on Baldwin Street. Continue straight through several stop signs. Eventually you will come to a fork in the road. Go right at the fork and continue up the canyon until you come to Rampart Range Road. Turn right on Rampart Range Road and continue straight for about 2.5 miles. The Rainbow Gulch Trailhead will be to the left.

(originally posted 7/27/2010, updated 10/6/2011)