Birdseye Gulch Loop
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If you like riding extremely tough terrain at high altitudes, then you'll love this ride. One thing to keep in mind before setting out is that this is a very difficult ride and it isn't for everyone. Most people will be forced from the saddle for some hike-a-bike, both on the climb and the descent. Along the way you may encounter thick mud, steep technical descents, and deep water crossings. If, however, you like to explore the backcountry on a bike and don't mind a little pushing, go for it.
USGS Quadrangles:
Leadville North, Climax
Ride length: 17.1 miles
Ride type: loop
Riding time: 2.5-3 hours
Surface: paved road (8.0 miles); jeep road (9.1 miles)
Elevations: start/end 10,160’; max 12,160’; min 10,000’
Total climbing: gain/loss 2,220’
Aerobic level: strenuous (climbing on rough road, altitude)
Technical level: 5 (steeps littered with rocks)
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 north to E. 7th St. The ride starts at the intersection of Harrison and E. 7th.
Ride type: loop
Riding time: 2.5-3 hours
Surface: paved road (8.0 miles); jeep road (9.1 miles)
Elevations: start/end 10,160’; max 12,160’; min 10,000’
Total climbing: gain/loss 2,220’
Aerobic level: strenuous (climbing on rough road, altitude)
Technical level: 5 (steeps littered with rocks)
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 north to E. 7th St. The ride starts at the intersection of Harrison and E. 7th.
The Ride:
-0.0 From the intersection of E. 7th St. and Harrison Ave., ride east (uphill) on E. 7th St.
-0.7 E. 7th St. becomes CR 3. Continue on CR 3 toward the Matchless Mine.
-1.2 Pass the entrance to the Matchless Mine. Note- the bridge you are about to pass under is the Mineral Belt Trail; an entrance to it is just past the bridge.
-1.5 Stay on CR 3 as it changes to dirt.
-1.6 Stay on CR 3 past a spur on your right.
-1.8 Continue straight on CR 3 past the intersection with CR 3A on the left.
-2.7 Bear left, staying on CR 3 past the intersection with CR 38 on the right.
-3.0 Continue on CR 3 past a spur on your left.
-3.1 Pass another spur on the right.
-3.8 Stay left on CR 3 past the intersection with CR 3B on the right.
-4.1 Take the left-most fork, CR 3 (unmarked), at this 3-way intersection. (CR 3C peels off hard to the right and the middle fork is a mining access.)
-4.4 Bear left on CR 3, passing the Diamond Mine entrance on the right.
-4.5 Going straight is more direct but steeper and rougher than taking the switchback on the left.
-4.9 Continue climbing on CR 3 past double-tracks on the left.
-5.8 Pass the rogue jeep track on your left. (Though it leads to the descent route, riding it contributes further damage to this delicate terrain.)
-6.0 Turn left (north) onto a jeep track and start the descent.
-6.3 Turn right at the fork to head downhill. Note- for a diversion, add an outand- back toward Prospect Mountain (12,614’) from this intersection.
-7.7 This is some hairy terrain. You may have to walk it here.
-8.7 Stream crossing.
-9.2 Cross the train tracks of the Leadville, Colorado and Southern Railroad. The train still runs on this line.
-9.3 Stream crossing. It is better to get your feet wet than to attempt crossing on the logs to the right.
-10.6 Cross the mighty Arkansas River. Carefully cross the highway and turn left for an easy spin back to Leadville along CO 91.
-16.0 Continue straight on the highway as CO 91 ends at US 24. Continue east on US 24 toward Leadville. Use caution and watch for traffic!
-17.0 Follow US 24 as it turns right toward Harrison Avenue. Be careful as you ride into downtown Leadville. Summer tourists may not be bike-aware as they swing open car doors.
-17.1 The ride ends at the intersection of 7th Street and Harrison Avenue.
Options: this ride is ideal for auto-shuttling. Have someone drive you to the top of the climb (mile 6.0) then pick you up at the bottom of the drop on CO 91. Most
rugged, high-clearance 4WD vehicles should be able to make the drive up CR 3. DO NOT ATTEMPT DRIVING BIRDSEYE GULCH unless you have mad offroad
skills and a vehicle that can take the abuse!
-0.7 E. 7th St. becomes CR 3. Continue on CR 3 toward the Matchless Mine.
-1.2 Pass the entrance to the Matchless Mine. Note- the bridge you are about to pass under is the Mineral Belt Trail; an entrance to it is just past the bridge.
-1.5 Stay on CR 3 as it changes to dirt.
-1.6 Stay on CR 3 past a spur on your right.
-1.8 Continue straight on CR 3 past the intersection with CR 3A on the left.
-2.7 Bear left, staying on CR 3 past the intersection with CR 38 on the right.
-3.0 Continue on CR 3 past a spur on your left.
-3.1 Pass another spur on the right.
-3.8 Stay left on CR 3 past the intersection with CR 3B on the right.
-4.1 Take the left-most fork, CR 3 (unmarked), at this 3-way intersection. (CR 3C peels off hard to the right and the middle fork is a mining access.)
-4.4 Bear left on CR 3, passing the Diamond Mine entrance on the right.
-4.5 Going straight is more direct but steeper and rougher than taking the switchback on the left.
-4.9 Continue climbing on CR 3 past double-tracks on the left.
-5.8 Pass the rogue jeep track on your left. (Though it leads to the descent route, riding it contributes further damage to this delicate terrain.)
-6.0 Turn left (north) onto a jeep track and start the descent.
-6.3 Turn right at the fork to head downhill. Note- for a diversion, add an outand- back toward Prospect Mountain (12,614’) from this intersection.
-7.7 This is some hairy terrain. You may have to walk it here.
-8.7 Stream crossing.
-9.2 Cross the train tracks of the Leadville, Colorado and Southern Railroad. The train still runs on this line.
-9.3 Stream crossing. It is better to get your feet wet than to attempt crossing on the logs to the right.
-10.6 Cross the mighty Arkansas River. Carefully cross the highway and turn left for an easy spin back to Leadville along CO 91.
-16.0 Continue straight on the highway as CO 91 ends at US 24. Continue east on US 24 toward Leadville. Use caution and watch for traffic!
-17.0 Follow US 24 as it turns right toward Harrison Avenue. Be careful as you ride into downtown Leadville. Summer tourists may not be bike-aware as they swing open car doors.
-17.1 The ride ends at the intersection of 7th Street and Harrison Avenue.
Options: this ride is ideal for auto-shuttling. Have someone drive you to the top of the climb (mile 6.0) then pick you up at the bottom of the drop on CO 91. Most
rugged, high-clearance 4WD vehicles should be able to make the drive up CR 3. DO NOT ATTEMPT DRIVING BIRDSEYE GULCH unless you have mad offroad
skills and a vehicle that can take the abuse!
Topo:
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