Rocky Mtn Arsenal Gravel South Loops

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Commerce City, CO, US

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Route Overview

We Ride 4

Nonprofit addressing child obesity and healthy lifestyles by getting more kids riding bikes

23 mi.

390 ft.

Looking for a truly unique urban gravel experience? Take a sunset ride through Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge

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Route Details

If you are looking for a truly unique urban gravel experience, take a sunset ride through Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge.

Most people who ride out here, do the perimeter route that follows the exterior of the refuge. That route is also very scenic. However, when you ride the perimeter, you are paralleling local roads and you're not really inside the Refuge. Try this route to ride through the southern interior of the Refuge and be part of the scenery rather than just viewing it from a distance.

Located just 10 miles northeast of downtown Denver, you can step into nature and see the native wildlife that call the Refuge home. If you're lucky, during your ride, bison, deer, raptors, songbirds, waterfowl, prairie dogs, and coyotes are just a few of the animals you will see on your visit. The Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge is one of the largest urban refuges in the country. It is a sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of busy urban life where time truly moves at nature's pace. The Refuge is open sunrise to sunset daily (Check the website for holiday schedules).

This route takes you through the trails that roam through the Southern part of the Refuge. There are a lot of trails in this area. However, most of the trails are closed to bicycles, so pay close attention to the signs posted in the area along the route. As of the date of this posting, the trails included in this route are the only ones open to bicycles. Uderstandably, much of the area within the refuge is closed to cars and bicycles because it is a refuge for wildlife and fragile vegitation. But don't worry, if you stick to this route, you will still get your fill of nature and you won't even believe that your experience feels so remote, even though you are surrounded by the expansive urban backdrop of the Denver Metro area.

To ride this route, park in the parking area in Prairie Gateway Open Space on the North side of Gateway Rd. The parking lot is approximately 0.6 miles from where Gateway Rd intersects with Prairie Parkway. I prefer this lot because there is also a public restroom here which is perfect for gathering to ride with friends. If you are doing a sunset ride, you can't park in the main parking area for the Arsenal because they close the main gate at sunset. Park in the Prairie Gateway Open Space lot and you won't have to worry about your car after the ride.

The route starts with 4 mile counterclockwise  @slice[Opening Loop](d,0,6676.89) that goes Northwest from the parking area. At 0.5 miles, take the right fork and go uphill into the first grassy prairie area. Continue north on hard packed double track for another mile. Right before you get to 72nd Ave and Adams City HS, the route turns left and heads West for another 0.3 miles. When you reach Quebec Pkwy at mile 1.8, the route makes a left and puts you on the paved bike path that parallels Quebec Pkwy. Stay on the path for 0.9 miles where you will come to the intersection with Prairie Pkwy. At this point, you will turn left to get back on a gravel path and wind your way through the South end of Prairie Gateway Open Space. While riding this section, look to the Southeast for glimpses of @photo[Dick's Sporting Goods Park](15678828) and the stadium that is home to the Colorado Rapids professional soccer team. The route eventually brings you back to Gateway Rd just East of the parking area. Cross over Gateway Rd here and then immediately turn right to stay on the gravel path. After a few hundred yards, you will cross over Gateway Rd again where you will find yourself just to the right of the @photo[Main Entrance](15680754) to Rocky Mountain Arsenal. Ride through the @photo[archway](15680787) on the gravel bike path to the right of the main entrance for motorized vehicles. Continue on the gravel path past the Visitor's Center. Go through the @photo[double gate](15680786) at approx mile 4.8. After you go through the gate, wind through the Refuge for another 0.8 mile, turn right on @photo[Prairie Trail](15680810). At approximately mile 6.2, you will leave the high grassy prairie terrain and enter a @slice[tree lined section](d,9900.4,11375.6) @photo[(See photo)](15678834) for approximately 1 mile.

At approx mile 7.2, take the 2nd right to stay on the route. In approx another 1.1 miles, go over the bridge and turn right to stay on the route. Ride for another 1.5 miles until you come to the turn for the @photo[Highline Loop Trail](15680867). This 0.3 mile loop was added for one reason. Right after you go over the bridge and start the loop, look to the right (East) and treat yourself to one of the most spectacular views of the @photo[Front Range of the Rocky Mountains](15680866). If you ride this roue on a Summer evening, you might get lucky enough to be treated to a spectacular light show from an early evening thunderstorm rolling off of the mountains. At mile 9.5 you will come to another double gate. Go through the gate and continue to the parking lot for the Highline Trailhead. As you exit the parking lot, turn left to go onto the paved bike trail heading West. Follow the paved bike path for 1 mile. Then turn left, go through the gate to continue North. A couple hundred yards after you go throug the gate, turn right to get onto the First Creek Trail. You will be on singletrack briefly, but its hard packed and non-technical terrain. Follow the First Creek Trail for approx 0.5 miles, then turn right and head North on the route. Continue North for 1 mile to the @poi[historic site](126678204) of the @photo[Long Branch School](15681008). On your way to the historic site, look to your right (East). You will see the @photo[Gaylord Hotel and Denver International Airport](15678833) off in the distance.

At mile 12.2 turn left and go through the @photo[First Creek Trail Arch](15681025). Continue for another 0.2 miles up to the @photo[Overlook](15678827) @point[(See POI on the Map)](d,19920.1). Take some photos here. On a clear day, the horizon line of the Front Range of the mountains seems endless. Backtrack off the overlook and continue around the @slice[First Creek Loop](d,20085.8,22318.2).

Follow the route back through the South end of RMANWR until you get to mile 16.3. Turn right here onto the Bluestem Loop Trail. Here you will have @slice[2 scenic loops](d,26256.5,30075.9) before making your way through the final sections of the route back to the parking area.

After completing the 2 loops, head to the @photo[viewing blind](15681078) at the @point[Rod & Gun Club Pond](d,31992.24). After the Blind, follow the remaining 3 miles back to the parking area.

For an Urban gravel route close to Downtown Denver, this route is hard to beat. It's a great ride any time of the day, but try it in the evening or during sunset for a truly extraordinary experience.

Rocky Mtn Arsenal Gravel South Loops

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