Buena Vista: Midland 376A Loop
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This is one of the best early season rides in Buena Vista. Start by working your way up the Barbara Whipple Trail from the Buena Vista River Park. The next section, a spin on the Midland Railroad Grade, is fast and easy, but tight singletrack diversions into gullies keep you working. The first 0.5 miles of the climb on CR/FSR 315 (Shields Gulch) can get sandy in summer, but the rest is a meditative spin that tops out with unsurpassed views of the southern Arkansas Valley and the Collegiate Peaks. The descent on CR 376A is fast, solid fun and sure to make you smile. The Whipple Trail back to town provides a perfect ending.
Ride length: 16.2 miles
Ride type: lollipop-loop (counterclockwise)
Riding time: 2 hours
Surface: single-track (5.8 miles); jeep roads (10.4 miles)
Elevations: start/end 7,960’; max 9,365’; min 7,960’
Total climbing: gain/loss 1,650’
Aerobic level: moderate (climbing)
Technical level: 3 (short technical sections are easily walked)
Season: April through November (can be ridden all year when dry)
USGS Quadrangle: Buena Vista East
Getting there: from the stoplight at the intersection of US 24 and Main St. in Buena Vista, drive approximately 0.5 miles east to the end of E. Main St. Bear left into the Buena Vista River Park parking lot. The ride starts at the west side (town side) of the footbridge over the river.
Trailhead/trail amenities: restrooms/water at trailhead; starts/ends in town.
The Ride:
Ride type: lollipop-loop (counterclockwise)
Riding time: 2 hours
Surface: single-track (5.8 miles); jeep roads (10.4 miles)
Elevations: start/end 7,960’; max 9,365’; min 7,960’
Total climbing: gain/loss 1,650’
Aerobic level: moderate (climbing)
Technical level: 3 (short technical sections are easily walked)
Season: April through November (can be ridden all year when dry)
USGS Quadrangle: Buena Vista East
Getting there: from the stoplight at the intersection of US 24 and Main St. in Buena Vista, drive approximately 0.5 miles east to the end of E. Main St. Bear left into the Buena Vista River Park parking lot. The ride starts at the west side (town side) of the footbridge over the river.
Trailhead/trail amenities: restrooms/water at trailhead; starts/ends in town.
The Ride:
-0.0 Cross the bridge to start the ride. Enjoy the single-track... gotta love it!
-0.1 Stay right at the split. The trail drops a few feet and parallels the river.
-0.2 Pass the shaded bench.
-0.3 Stay right at the split. Note- bear left for an easier route to CR 304.
-0.9 Turn right at the intersection with CR 304. Enjoy the amazing views of Mt. Princeton and the lower valley.
-2.9 Go straight on FSR 376A. This is a slightly confusing 3-way split. You want to avoid the natural inclination to descend right on CR 304. FSR 376A is the middle fork just left of the parking area and Fourmile signs.
-3.3 Go straight on TR 1450. Single-track! (FSR 376A heads left.)
-4.8 Continue straight along TR 1450. TR 1450 may not be marked at this intersection, but TR 1450A is the spur on the left.
-7.2 Turn left and drop down to CR/FSR 315. There is a parking area and trailhead sign at the bottom of the drop.
-7.3 Turn left onto CR/FSR 315 and climb. (The sand ends in about 0.5 miles.) Pass all spurs to remain on CR/FSR 315 for approximately 2.2 miles.
-8.8 Pass all campsite spurs. The scenery is big with excellent views.
-9.5 Turn left at the intersection with FSR 376. This ends the major climb of the ride. (There is a sign with mileage to Buena Vista: 9 miles via FSR 376). Stay on the main road, passing numerous zigzagging spurs along the way.
-9.7 Bear left onto FSR 376A. The next 1.5 miles are a blast. Note- bearing right at the fork returns you to Buena Vista via the Lenhardy Cutoff (FSR 376).
-10.2 Bear left at the fork. (Right leads to an awesome campsite.)
-10.8 Keep bombing the main downhill line past all campsite spurs.
-11.1 Bear right at the fork with TR 1450A. Note- TR 1450A, part of the Gentleman’s Loop, returns you to the Midland Railroad Grade at mile 4.8 of this route description and is an equally fun option.
-11.8 Pass a spur on the right as you continue on the main road.
-12.4 Turn left, passing the drive with the large gate. The descent is now on a well-maintained road.
-12.7 Keep descending on the main road, FSR 376A, past all campsites.
-13.1 Turn right to rejoin the Midland Railroad Grade back to Buena Vista.
-13.2 Continue straight through the intersection to CR 304. (Hint- head toward the large “No Outlet” sign.)
-15.3 Look left for the Barbara Whipple Trail. It’s easy to pass this intersection; just watch left for the Midland Bike Trail sign.
-15.8 Continue the descent, passing the trail to your right.
-16.2 Cross the bridge to end the ride.
-0.1 Stay right at the split. The trail drops a few feet and parallels the river.
-0.2 Pass the shaded bench.
-0.3 Stay right at the split. Note- bear left for an easier route to CR 304.
-0.9 Turn right at the intersection with CR 304. Enjoy the amazing views of Mt. Princeton and the lower valley.
-2.9 Go straight on FSR 376A. This is a slightly confusing 3-way split. You want to avoid the natural inclination to descend right on CR 304. FSR 376A is the middle fork just left of the parking area and Fourmile signs.
-3.3 Go straight on TR 1450. Single-track! (FSR 376A heads left.)
-4.8 Continue straight along TR 1450. TR 1450 may not be marked at this intersection, but TR 1450A is the spur on the left.
-7.2 Turn left and drop down to CR/FSR 315. There is a parking area and trailhead sign at the bottom of the drop.
-7.3 Turn left onto CR/FSR 315 and climb. (The sand ends in about 0.5 miles.) Pass all spurs to remain on CR/FSR 315 for approximately 2.2 miles.
-8.8 Pass all campsite spurs. The scenery is big with excellent views.
-9.5 Turn left at the intersection with FSR 376. This ends the major climb of the ride. (There is a sign with mileage to Buena Vista: 9 miles via FSR 376). Stay on the main road, passing numerous zigzagging spurs along the way.
-9.7 Bear left onto FSR 376A. The next 1.5 miles are a blast. Note- bearing right at the fork returns you to Buena Vista via the Lenhardy Cutoff (FSR 376).
-10.2 Bear left at the fork. (Right leads to an awesome campsite.)
-10.8 Keep bombing the main downhill line past all campsite spurs.
-11.1 Bear right at the fork with TR 1450A. Note- TR 1450A, part of the Gentleman’s Loop, returns you to the Midland Railroad Grade at mile 4.8 of this route description and is an equally fun option.
-11.8 Pass a spur on the right as you continue on the main road.
-12.4 Turn left, passing the drive with the large gate. The descent is now on a well-maintained road.
-12.7 Keep descending on the main road, FSR 376A, past all campsites.
-13.1 Turn right to rejoin the Midland Railroad Grade back to Buena Vista.
-13.2 Continue straight through the intersection to CR 304. (Hint- head toward the large “No Outlet” sign.)
-15.3 Look left for the Barbara Whipple Trail. It’s easy to pass this intersection; just watch left for the Midland Bike Trail sign.
-15.8 Continue the descent, passing the trail to your right.
-16.2 Cross the bridge to end the ride.
Topo with elevation profile:
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