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Mountain Biking: Reno Ridge / Flag Creek / Bear Creek
/ Deadman's Gulch Trail Info
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NOTE: This trail was rebuilt a couple years ago and
has some new features, including a "motorcycles only" downhill
on the Deadman’s switchbacks. Thank your local Crested
Butte Mountain Bike Association members
for their help.
This ride is actually a linking of trails that combine to
make an incredible day on a bike. Affectionately known as
Reno Flag Bear Deadman’s, this is a classic longer ride of
the Cement Creek Area. Cement Creek Road is found 7 miles
south on Highway 135 from town. If you want to shorten the
ride, you can drive up Cement Creek Road and park just short
of 7 miles. There’s a Forest Service parking area on the
right where Deadman’s Gulch trail 420 ends. The loop is 20
miles from this lot (nearly 50 roundtrip from town). Plan
on the better part of the day for this ride. The climbs
are long, the downhills are screamers, and the views are
spectacular. Take extra water, food and some friends; you’ll
be glad you did.
From the parking lot, ride up Cement Creek Road, cross over
Cement Creek on a large culvert, and switchback up. On the
right will be a well worn but unmarked shortcut, take this
or continue to the marked junction of Reno Divide Road 759.
Go right and climb steadily for about 5 miles to the top
of Reno Divide.
At the top of Reno Divide is a good place for lunch. The
views to the west are of Teocalli Mountain and Double Top.
North is Italian Mountain and east is Matchless Mountain
and the Spring Creek drainage.
Ride through the gate and straight ahead onto the marked
Flag Creek singletrack. CBMBA and
the Forest Service recently reworked this smooth section
of trail, so get ready for one of the best downhill runs
anywhere. After three miles you will cross a compacted gravel "bridge." Shortly
after this, you will enter the dark timber where your next
right turn is. There is a small sign here marking the Bear
Creek Trail.
If you come to a road crossing, you’ve gone too far. Take
the right trail, cross a creek and climb up another creek
drainage. This trail climbs, sometimes steeply, into an open
marshy area. Veer right here - passing an old closed trail
on the left - and climb 100 yards to the dirt road. GO LEFT
on this road. (The singletrack straight ahead leads up to
the Reno Ridge trail. Don’t be tempted!) Follow the road
three quarters of a mile to where it forks, ride straight
ahead and over a dirt berm onto the signed continuation of
the Bear Creek Trail.
Get ready for another great downhill. This section has been
reworked lately as well and is in the best shape that I’ve
ever seen it. Plan on minimal brake wear as you rocket down
Bear Creek. There are a few rough spots towards the bottom,
but mostly it’s buffed all the way down. About 3.5
miles down, the Deadman’s Gulch trail turns right. This is
a good place to refuel for the last climb. Take the Deadman’s
Gulch trail to the right and gear down for a longer-than-expected
climb. Pass the Cement Mountain Trail that comes in from
the left and make the last push to the top. Here, pass the
Reno Ridge Trail coming in from the right.
At the top, go straight through a small barbed-wire fence
and begin a newly reworked, switchback-filled descent to
Cement Creek. Did you make all those switchbacks? Cross over
Cement Creek on a large log, climb up to the parking lot,
and there you are on Cement Creek Road again. Left takes
you back out to the highway. Now wasn’t that one of the better
rides you’ve had lately? Be safe.
A nice option to the last climb is the Rosebud Trail. Continue
down Bear Creek another mile, cross the Rosebud Creek, and
turn right onto the signed Rosebud Trail. This climb is sustained
and gradual, but becomes quite steep at the top. Once back
in the dark forest, you will arrive at a T intersection with
the Cement Mountain Trail. Here go right and roll around
the meadow hillsides that boast amazing views. After a fast
descent through the dark forest, regain the Deadman Gulch
Trail, turn left and gain the summit of Reno Ridge. Ride
through the gate and down the switchbacks to the parking
lot. This adds about 45 minutes and 4.5 miles to the
ride. |
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