Leadville: Ball Mountain Loop
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So, you're looking for a great workout with a killer descent that starts from the center of Leadville. Try this one. It starts with a pulse-pounding climb to an amazing, but very short (only 0.6 miles!) stretch of alpine single-track. Next, the white-knuckled descent into Alps Gulch is breathlessly steep, technical, and fast. The remainder is an easy glide back to town.
Do this in morning, before the afternoon storms blow in. Because mining was so active in this area, finding your way might be challenging. So many unmapped and unmarked roads zigzag across the route that a wrong turn or two may prove inevitable. If you don't have a GPS, be sure to carry quality maps and a compass as a supplement to this guide.
Do this in morning, before the afternoon storms blow in. Because mining was so active in this area, finding your way might be challenging. So many unmapped and unmarked roads zigzag across the route that a wrong turn or two may prove inevitable. If you don't have a GPS, be sure to carry quality maps and a compass as a supplement to this guide.
USGS Quadrangles:
Leadville South, Leadville North, Climax, Mount Sherman
Ride length: 10.4 miles
Ride type: loop (counter-clockwise)
Riding time: 1.5-2 hours
Surface: paved road (2.1 miles); dirt road/jeep trails (7.7 miles); single-track (0.6 miles)
Elevations: start/end 10,150'; max 12,140'; min 10,150'
Total climbing: gain/loss 2,000'
Aerobic level: strenuous (sustained climbs at high altitude)
Technical level: 4 (the descent from the pass is rutted, loose, steep, and fast)
Season: July through October
Getting there: park anywhere in downtown Leadville. From the stoplight at 6th St. and Harrison Ave. (US 24) in downtown Leadville, ride one block south to E. 5th St. The ride starts at the intersection of Harrison Ave. and E. 5th St.
Ride type: loop (counter-clockwise)
Riding time: 1.5-2 hours
Surface: paved road (2.1 miles); dirt road/jeep trails (7.7 miles); single-track (0.6 miles)
Elevations: start/end 10,150'; max 12,140'; min 10,150'
Total climbing: gain/loss 2,000'
Aerobic level: strenuous (sustained climbs at high altitude)
Technical level: 4 (the descent from the pass is rutted, loose, steep, and fast)
Season: July through October
Getting there: park anywhere in downtown Leadville. From the stoplight at 6th St. and Harrison Ave. (US 24) in downtown Leadville, ride one block south to E. 5th St. The ride starts at the intersection of Harrison Ave. and E. 5th St.
The Ride:
-0.0 - From the intersection of E. 5th St. and Harrison Ave. (US 24), ride northeast (uphill) on E. 5th St. Note- in about 70 yards, you'll pass the historic home of Horace and Augusta Tabor on your left.
-0.7 - The road bends east and becomes CR 1 as the pavement ends.
-0.9 - Enter the mining district and continue climbing on CR 1.
-1.2 - Pass an entrance to the Mineral Belt Trail on your left. Continue riding uphill, passing beneath the bridge.
-1.4 - Continue climbing on the main road, passing a spur on your left.
-1.9 - Stay left on CR 1 as CR 2A intersects from the right. Keep climbing.
-2.5 - Continue climbing on CR 1 as it bends left. A mining spur will be on your right.
-2.9 - Continue climbing straight on CR 1. An unmarked road descends on your left and an unmarked jeep road climbs to your right.
-3.3 - The road levels as you pass another mine access road on your right. Continue straight for another 50 yards and bear right as CR 38 descends to your left.
-3.6 - After passing a large mining area, bear right at the fork and resume climbing on CR 1A.
-4.0 - Top-out and look left for a jeep trail that heads southeast toward the rounded summit of Ball Mountain. Turn left at this unmarked junction and cross the rocky runoff channel. Continue ascending on the double-track/jeep trail.
-4.5 - Bear left at the fork and continue riding the steep jeep trail toward the now visible line of single-track to the east.
-4.6 - Bear left at the fork and continue riding toward the single-track. The double-track here is very faint.
-4.7 - Continue climbing as the skinny, single-track begins. What a fine line.
-5.1 - USE EXTREME CAUTION as the trail skims the edge of an open mineshaft! It doesn't look deep, but don't tempt fate; it may not be done collapsing.
-5.2 - Break out your machete and cut a path through the brush. No machete? Narrow your grip and plow through. You will be out in less than 100 feet.
-5.3 - Arrive at Ball Mountain Pass. Descend left along the obvious, rough jeep track into Alps Gulch. Brace for a fast, technical descent.
-6.1 - Finish the intense descent and cross a stream on a plank bridge.
-6.3 - After a quick climb, turn left at an unmarked intersection and descend along a rough jeep track.
-6.7 - Pass CR 3C on your right as you continue descending.
-6.9 - Pass the intersection with CR 3B on your right as you continue zipping down hill.
-7.1 - Continue your descent straight on the main road (CR 38) as you pass a couple roads on your left.
-7.7 - Continue descending as CR 38 merges into CR 3.
-8.6 - Continue straight on CR 3, passing CR 3A on your right.
-8.9 - Pavement! Continue descending. You'll soon pass under the Mineral Belt Trail and zoom past Tabor's Matchless Silver Mine on your right.
-10.3 - Arrive at the intersection Harrison Ave. and E. 7th St. Ride two blocks south to close the loop. Very nice.
-0.7 - The road bends east and becomes CR 1 as the pavement ends.
-0.9 - Enter the mining district and continue climbing on CR 1.
-1.2 - Pass an entrance to the Mineral Belt Trail on your left. Continue riding uphill, passing beneath the bridge.
-1.4 - Continue climbing on the main road, passing a spur on your left.
-1.9 - Stay left on CR 1 as CR 2A intersects from the right. Keep climbing.
-2.5 - Continue climbing on CR 1 as it bends left. A mining spur will be on your right.
-2.9 - Continue climbing straight on CR 1. An unmarked road descends on your left and an unmarked jeep road climbs to your right.
-3.3 - The road levels as you pass another mine access road on your right. Continue straight for another 50 yards and bear right as CR 38 descends to your left.
-3.6 - After passing a large mining area, bear right at the fork and resume climbing on CR 1A.
-4.0 - Top-out and look left for a jeep trail that heads southeast toward the rounded summit of Ball Mountain. Turn left at this unmarked junction and cross the rocky runoff channel. Continue ascending on the double-track/jeep trail.
-4.5 - Bear left at the fork and continue riding the steep jeep trail toward the now visible line of single-track to the east.
-4.6 - Bear left at the fork and continue riding toward the single-track. The double-track here is very faint.
-4.7 - Continue climbing as the skinny, single-track begins. What a fine line.
-5.1 - USE EXTREME CAUTION as the trail skims the edge of an open mineshaft! It doesn't look deep, but don't tempt fate; it may not be done collapsing.
-5.2 - Break out your machete and cut a path through the brush. No machete? Narrow your grip and plow through. You will be out in less than 100 feet.
-5.3 - Arrive at Ball Mountain Pass. Descend left along the obvious, rough jeep track into Alps Gulch. Brace for a fast, technical descent.
-6.1 - Finish the intense descent and cross a stream on a plank bridge.
-6.3 - After a quick climb, turn left at an unmarked intersection and descend along a rough jeep track.
-6.7 - Pass CR 3C on your right as you continue descending.
-6.9 - Pass the intersection with CR 3B on your right as you continue zipping down hill.
-7.1 - Continue your descent straight on the main road (CR 38) as you pass a couple roads on your left.
-7.7 - Continue descending as CR 38 merges into CR 3.
-8.6 - Continue straight on CR 3, passing CR 3A on your right.
-8.9 - Pavement! Continue descending. You'll soon pass under the Mineral Belt Trail and zoom past Tabor's Matchless Silver Mine on your right.
-10.3 - Arrive at the intersection Harrison Ave. and E. 7th St. Ride two blocks south to close the loop. Very nice.
Topo with elevation profile:
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