Nathrop: Ruby Mountain-Bald Mountain Gulch Loop
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(This ride is a variation of the Bald Mountain Gulch Loop that starts near Castle Rock. While the other option is far more pleasant, someone stopped by the shop the other day and asked about this route. Since the trailhead is so close to the summer outpost of many river guides, it makes sense to post it again.)
As I struggled up the 3 miles of soupy sand at the start of this ride, I wondered how many people would hate me if they tried it. Then, three weeks later, the sadists at AdventureXstream, hosts of the 2007 Buena Vista Adventure Race, used the worst part of this loop as part of the mountain bike portion of the race. So… here it is.
As said, the sand is extremely unpleasant and I seriously debated whether or not to post this ride. Descending through it is only marginally better than climbing it. Strong riders can probably pedal through most of it. If you're looking for a miserable/difficult ride for the sake of a miserable/difficult ride, give it a shot.
The downhill sections of CR 300 and CR 185D are fast and sweet. This is a popular motorcycle and ATV area, so be prepared on weekends to share the trail with many of our gasoline-powered brethren.
As I struggled up the 3 miles of soupy sand at the start of this ride, I wondered how many people would hate me if they tried it. Then, three weeks later, the sadists at AdventureXstream, hosts of the 2007 Buena Vista Adventure Race, used the worst part of this loop as part of the mountain bike portion of the race. So… here it is.
As said, the sand is extremely unpleasant and I seriously debated whether or not to post this ride. Descending through it is only marginally better than climbing it. Strong riders can probably pedal through most of it. If you're looking for a miserable/difficult ride for the sake of a miserable/difficult ride, give it a shot.
The downhill sections of CR 300 and CR 185D are fast and sweet. This is a popular motorcycle and ATV area, so be prepared on weekends to share the trail with many of our gasoline-powered brethren.
USGS Quadrangles:
Buena Vista East, Castle Rock Gulch
Ride length: 21.3 miles
Ride type: lollipop-loop
Riding time: 3.5-4 hours
Surface: graded dirt road (5.3 miles); technical jeep trail (10.0 miles); very sandy road (6.0 miles)
Elevations: start/end 7,720'; max 9,618'; min 7,720'
Total climbing: gain/loss 3,180'
Aerobic level: advanced/gonzo (1,000' of climbing through about 3 miles of deep sand; 2,000' of additional climbing)
Technical level: 4 (some of the descents on FSR 185D are steep, loose and rutted)
Season: mid-April through mid-November
Getting there: From the intersection of US 285 and US 24 (west of Johnson Village), drive south on US 285 for about 3.4 miles to the intersection of US 285 and County Road 301. Turn left onto CR 301 and continue over the bridge for 0.5 miles. Turn right onto CR 300. Drive for approximately 1.1 miles then bear right to stay on CR 300. Continue for another 1.4 miles, passing the campground on your right. Drive for another 0.2 miles to the OHV parking area on the right.
Ride type: lollipop-loop
Riding time: 3.5-4 hours
Surface: graded dirt road (5.3 miles); technical jeep trail (10.0 miles); very sandy road (6.0 miles)
Elevations: start/end 7,720'; max 9,618'; min 7,720'
Total climbing: gain/loss 3,180'
Aerobic level: advanced/gonzo (1,000' of climbing through about 3 miles of deep sand; 2,000' of additional climbing)
Technical level: 4 (some of the descents on FSR 185D are steep, loose and rutted)
Season: mid-April through mid-November
Getting there: From the intersection of US 285 and US 24 (west of Johnson Village), drive south on US 285 for about 3.4 miles to the intersection of US 285 and County Road 301. Turn left onto CR 301 and continue over the bridge for 0.5 miles. Turn right onto CR 300. Drive for approximately 1.1 miles then bear right to stay on CR 300. Continue for another 1.4 miles, passing the campground on your right. Drive for another 0.2 miles to the OHV parking area on the right.
The Ride:
-0.0 - From the parking area, turn right and start climbing up FSR 300. The climb is steep.
-0.5 - The sand starts about here.
-0.9 - Stay on the main road, passing a spur on the right.
-1.1 - Stay left, passing another spur on the right.
-1.5 - Stay left.
-1.8 - Continue straight, passing an unmarked spur on the left.
-2.1 - Continue on the main road past TR 1434 on the right.
-2.9 - Stay on the main road, passing TR 300B on the left. How's the sand? Fun?
-3.5 - Pass through a gate.
-3.6 - Bear left and stay on FSR 300 past FSR 185D on your right. The sand ends soon.
-4.8 - Continue straight, passing an unmarked spur on the left.
-5.4 - Turn right at the parking area and continue on FSR 300. Note- FSR 300A is on the far left.
-6.7 - Continue straight (right) on FSR 300, passing TR 1423 on the left.
-7.0 - Continue straight on the main road.
-7.6 - Bear left at an unmarked intersection. The rock formation in the distance ahead of you is Castle Rock.
-7.7 - Bear right at an unmarked intersection. Continue riding toward Castle Rock.
-8.4 - Enter a parking area and trailhead. Continue through the parking area then turn right on CR 187 toward Bassam Park.
-11.0 - Continue straight on CR 187 at the intersection with CR 188.
-13.1 - Turn right on FSR 185.
-13.2 - Continue straight on FSR 185, passing FSR 185E on the right.
-13.7 - Turn right at the intersection with FSR 185D.
-14.0 - Pass through the seasonal closure gate.
-14.5 - Continue straight, passing an unmarked spur.
-14.7 - Continue straight on FSR 185D, passing TR 1434.
-14.9 - Pass through a gate. Be sure to close it if it was closed when you found it.
-15.4 - Continue straight on FSR 185D, passing an unmarked spur on the left.
-15.9 - Bear right at an unmarked intersection.
-16.0 - Cross a deep wash and start to climb.
-16.6 - Continue straight, passing an unmarked spur on your left.
-17.6 - Pass through the seasonal gate. Bear left on FSR 300. This closes the loop and returns you to the sand. At least it's downhill.
-18.4 - Stay on the main road, passing FSR 300B on the right.
-19.1 - Continue straight, passing TR 1434 on the left.
-19.4 - Continue straight, passing an unmarked spur on your right.
-21.3 - Parking area. Thank you, sir. May I have another?
-0.5 - The sand starts about here.
-0.9 - Stay on the main road, passing a spur on the right.
-1.1 - Stay left, passing another spur on the right.
-1.5 - Stay left.
-1.8 - Continue straight, passing an unmarked spur on the left.
-2.1 - Continue on the main road past TR 1434 on the right.
-2.9 - Stay on the main road, passing TR 300B on the left. How's the sand? Fun?
-3.5 - Pass through a gate.
-3.6 - Bear left and stay on FSR 300 past FSR 185D on your right. The sand ends soon.
-4.8 - Continue straight, passing an unmarked spur on the left.
-5.4 - Turn right at the parking area and continue on FSR 300. Note- FSR 300A is on the far left.
-6.7 - Continue straight (right) on FSR 300, passing TR 1423 on the left.
-7.0 - Continue straight on the main road.
-7.6 - Bear left at an unmarked intersection. The rock formation in the distance ahead of you is Castle Rock.
-7.7 - Bear right at an unmarked intersection. Continue riding toward Castle Rock.
-8.4 - Enter a parking area and trailhead. Continue through the parking area then turn right on CR 187 toward Bassam Park.
-11.0 - Continue straight on CR 187 at the intersection with CR 188.
-13.1 - Turn right on FSR 185.
-13.2 - Continue straight on FSR 185, passing FSR 185E on the right.
-13.7 - Turn right at the intersection with FSR 185D.
-14.0 - Pass through the seasonal closure gate.
-14.5 - Continue straight, passing an unmarked spur.
-14.7 - Continue straight on FSR 185D, passing TR 1434.
-14.9 - Pass through a gate. Be sure to close it if it was closed when you found it.
-15.4 - Continue straight on FSR 185D, passing an unmarked spur on the left.
-15.9 - Bear right at an unmarked intersection.
-16.0 - Cross a deep wash and start to climb.
-16.6 - Continue straight, passing an unmarked spur on your left.
-17.6 - Pass through the seasonal gate. Bear left on FSR 300. This closes the loop and returns you to the sand. At least it's downhill.
-18.4 - Stay on the main road, passing FSR 300B on the right.
-19.1 - Continue straight, passing TR 1434 on the left.
-19.4 - Continue straight, passing an unmarked spur on your right.
-21.3 - Parking area. Thank you, sir. May I have another?
Topo with elevation profile:
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