Maps/Route/Photos

Official GPS File is here on Map My Ride: http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/40807386

Stats:
Elevation gain – 12,998 feet according to Google Earth
Max gradient – 49.4%
Distance – ~72 miles
Max Elevation – 11,288 feet above sea level

Noteworthy:
Water filtering locations are all around. There are a lot of streams and depending on how much moisture we get, you could have a lot of options or just a few. The best locations are:

1. Crags Campground (there is almost always a stream running through here unless it freezes)
2. Horsetheif Park (small stream here)
3. Spring on the side of Hwy 67 just before reaching the turn for Hwy 81
4. KOA Campground on Hwy 81
5. Gold Camp Road has multiple streams and bodies of water (watch for private property)
6. The rest of the route has streams and does provide for ample filtering opportunities.

Nutrition FYI
During my ride, I consumed 2 full 100 oz. bladders, 2 x 20 oz. bottles of fluid, 2 x 16 oz. Cokes, 6 oz. bag of Trail Mix, Bagel w/ PB, 2 choco chip cookies, 4 gels, 1 Fruition Bar, 2 Reeses Cups, 1 bag of Chomps, 1 x 5 Hour Energy.

Estimated expenditure was around 6000 kcal.

Route Overview
The route is very well marked. Maps are still highly recommended, as is the GPS route. The basic idea is if you are on a trail after following a sign, you probably won’t see a ton of signage on that trail. However, junctions are well marked, just make sure you are looking for the signs (see photo below). Follow the GREEN signs, NOT the brown signs.

Section 16, Palmer Loop, and Intemann Trail are not included in this event due to city regulations.

Route Description:

Start: America the Beautiful Park in downtown Colorado Springs. There is a road right at the park where some cars can go, but there are neighborhood streets just to the west (on the other side of I-25) where you can also park. I showed a few possible areas on the map. The park is close to the finish as well.

RTP Sign

1. Section 1 will start on Ruxton Ave. after riding from America the Beautiful Park via Colorado Ave. and Pikes Peak Ave. Map on Map My Ride is updated with notes on the start.
2. Climb up Ruxton Ave and stay right at the initial fork to reach the Ute Indian Trail (UPT). Near the top of Ruxton you will see some condos right after the road forks and becomes 1 way to traffic. Right where the road forks again (left loops back downhill, right continues up to the cog railway), take the immediate right that goes up a steeper paved hill. This is the way to the Ute Pass Trail. It will wind behind the condos and turn to dirt. Follow this up the pass. Upon reaching the top, descend down (right/north) to Highway 24. Cross over the gate and CAREFULLY cross to the other side of Highway 24. There is a very small shoulder, so you are encouraged to wear some reflective clothing and/or use some high-intensity lights on the rear of your bike since there are some blind turns. When you reach Cascade (first traffic light, about 1.5 miles or so up the pass from the UPT), turn left and continue up the main road to reach the Mount Esther Trail. See Google file for exact roads. You will look for Picabo Road and take a left on that. It climbs steeply up and just as it flattens out, look for a dirt road off to your left. Take this unnamed road and immediately on the right you will see a sign for the Mount Esther Trail.
3. Climb up to the trail head for the Mount Esther Trail and take this to the top of Cascade Ridge. This is approximately a 30 minute hike-a-bike, but once you attain the ridge, it’s nice riding to the reservoir with some additional singletrack climbing. Continue to Catamount Reservoir and ride around the Northwest slope of Pikes Peak…
   PLEASE make sure you remain on only Ring the Peak marked routes while riding around Catamount Reservoir. This is Colorado Springs’ drinking water and is on private property managed by CU. DO NOT filter water at the reservoir. You will follow the trail to the northwest slopes of Pikes Peak and eventually pop out on a dirt road near the Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp.
4. After passing the Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp, continue left up the hill to the Crags Campground. From the campground, continue straight until the road ends and take the trail to Horsetheif Park (trail on your right). At Horsetheif Park, do not continue to Pancake Rocks; go right and downhill after crossing the stream to Highway 67. Make a left onto the highway.
5. Follow Highway 67 just past Gillette – there is a spring on the right side of the road as you approach the old town. This is a good place to filter water. Look for a large, round tub on the right side of the road just before reaching the junction of Hwy 67 and 81.
6. Take Hwy 81 and you will see a KOA Campground on your left. This may be open on October 1st (it’s their last day), but don’t count on it. I will check with them as we get closer to make sure. If the weather is good and they are open, you can stock up on sandwiches, soda, and snacks. Leaving the KOA, turn left and continue on Hwy 81 to the left turn for Gold Camp Road.
7. Gold Camp and Old Seven Steps Road will take you up a long climb to the backside of Almagre Mountain/Mount Baldy (12,500 feet) where you will descend down the fire road to Frosty Park. FS 376 is your first left turn – this climbs very steeply and is a very difficult climb. Upon reaching the top you will see an open area (likely with cows roaming). Right when it levels out, look right and you will see a sign for the RTP telling you to go right and uphill.
8. This hill is also steep and loose and will likely be another hike-a-bike with some riding. Approximately 20 minutes long until you summit and can descend to the other side. Follow the RTP signs through more climbs and eventually you will descend to Frosty Park and take Trail 701.
9. After reaching Frosty Park, take a left to start down Trail 701 for a short time. You will see a right turn that takes you to Trail 668. Continue on 668 downhill and follow it to the junction of Seven Bridges Trail (Trail 662). Stay left and continue on 668 to Jones Park. Follow 667 downstream to the junction with Trail 666. Follow Trail 666 downhill to High Drive. Be careful on 666 – this trail is steep in sections and has some real exposure. Watch out for the marbles on the trail.
10. Descend High Drive (left turn after finishing the downhill portion on 666) until you reach the paved intersection. At this intersection take a left to reach lower Gold Camp and then a 4 way intersection. Take a left and descend 26th Street to Hwy 24.
11. Cross Hwy 24 and turn right on Colorado Ave (first light after crossing the highway). Take Colorado Ave east into downtown and turn right (south) onto Tejon street.
12. Follow Tejon to the 500 block where you will see McCabe’s Tavern. You’re done! Come inside for some good food and drink!

Finish: McCabe’s Tavern in downtown Colorado Springs. 520 South Tejon St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903.