The first and last 4 miles of this Buffalo Creek route are a real treat! The road/double-track trail is closed to motor vehicles and it feels like a hiking trail that goes through trees, shade and alongside a creek.
On the way out it is an easy and gradual uphill, and on the way back you barely have to peddle to return to the parking lot. A 100% gravel route is always a bonus. 🤩
There are some unavoidable brain-rattling wash boards on Wellington Lake Road/County Road 68!
We’d kind of hoped to be able to sit and relax by Lake Wellington when we got there, but because of Coronavirus, all day use is closed and the land along the road surrounding the lake is private property/no trespassing. 😕
Do this ride if you are wanting a 100% gravel, short, non-technical ride with a few punchy hills on forested, low traffic trails/roads.
This is a beginner/intermediate route because it has short mileage and there is nothing technical but there are some steep grades (8%-13%) in miles 5-9 to be aware of.
There are no services along this route except at Wellington Lake, but because of Coronavirus, all day use is closed. “Normally” (whatever and whenever that will be!) you can use bathrooms there but per their website, “drinking water is not available at the lake”. Bring enough water and fuel to keep you going for the whole ride. (We’ve recently been turned onto Stage Hydration which allows you to individually control the amount your electrolyte/water mix, and because the ENDURANCEFORMULA mix is contained in a filter, you always have the option of non-flavored, plain old H2O.)
We parked at the Buffalo Creek Mountain Bike Parking Lot which is just off South Buffalo Creek Road. It took us about an hour to drive from Denver. There is plenty of free parking and a few port-a-potties at this location.
Laura & Rose
Laura Karpinski and Rose Barcklow are the creators of Gravel Bike Adventures. Click on the About page to learn more about them.
