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Waterfall Creek? Where is that? Never heard
of it. These are common responses in conversations about
this ride. Waterfall Creek Trail is in the Cement Creek
area. It’s been around for a while, but not until recently
has anyone really been riding it. It was an obscure trail
and had some sections in it that had disappeared. It isn’t
an easy ride, but it isn’t a long one either. You can also
combine it with other rides in the Cement Creek area.
If after reading this description, you feel a little funny
about tackling it alone, ride it with someone who’s done
it before. There are a few tricky turns. Just remember, the
trail basically traverses the lower slopes of Double Top
Mountain and Cement Creek Road will always be below you.
Ride up Cement Creek Road from Highway 135. Past Cement
Creek Campground, Cement Creek Ranch and Deadman’s Parking
Lot. Continue up Cement Creek Road until you reach the first
major switchback in the road and a creek crossing. On your
left, paralleling Cement Creek, is a singletrack. Take it.
It runs along Cement Creek for a short distance then opens
up in to a large meadow.
Just after crossing a side creek that comes in from the
left, Waterfall Creek Trail turns left 90 degrees uphill.
Watch carefully for this because there are no trail signs,
and another trail continues straight along Cement Creek.
Waterfall Creek Trail goes straight
up and away from Cement Creek.
After a short steep climb into the aspens, watch for the
trail to turn left. There has been some trail work done here
and the correct trail is fairly apparent. If you continue
to climb steeply straight up the side of a hill, you’re headed
the wrong way. Go back until you see a trail branch off.
This may sound confusing, but its been ridden enough now
that you’ll see the correct trail.
After the trail bears left, it continues to climb and wind
its way along the lower flanks of Double Top Mountain. There
is some wild and sketchy sidehilling along the way. Focus.
The trail is fun and really challenging. Never too proud
to walk, I say.
You’ll come to a trail intersection. Go left for a short
distance, then turn right and continue along the contours.
If you go straight at that last turn, you wind up on a trail
called Homestead or Fenceline. It’s an easier trail if you’ve
had enough of Waterfall. Homestead Trail eventually comes
out on Cement Creek Road.
Waterfall Creek makes its last real climb and opens up in
an area below Double Top. Then, you’ll come to a trail intersection.
This trail is one of the downhills from Double Top. Turn
left, and continue downhill. This is a great run! You’ll
come to a marked trail intersection. Keep left, cross a creek
and enjoy the ride down.
Careful at the big left switchback on Heart Attack Hill!
You’ll come to rest (hopefully with your bike) in a small
sag at the top of Walrod Gulch and a four-way intersection.
Either straight or right will take you back to Cement Creek
Road. Straight is more fun. Right is faster. Right on Cement
Creek Road at either exit will take you back to the highway.
Now you know where Waterfall Creek Trail is. |
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