What a great time. Went out riding /dodging the trees for a few hours this weekend it was fantastic. The trails are great for anyone past the beginner level. I have said it over and over — you can not have more fun for the money. So this is my advice: get on craigslist, buy a used xr250 for maybe $ 1,200.00 and I guarantee you will agree you can’t have more fun per dollar.
Kendra L.
Place rating: 4 Denver, CO
Fall is here and I’ve found myself reminiscing of warm summer retreats. My first experience with the Devil’s Head trail(a part of Rampart Range) was when I saw a picture. Oddly enough it was a picture taken by my ex husband’s new girlfriend(at the time) that brought me to drive past Sedalia in search of a little hike to amazing scenery. The road that leads you in turns to dirt quickly and is about 10 miles long, twisting, turning and hole-y.(Side note: I would recommend not speeding on these roads to avoid colliding with any other vehicles you come across, occassional dirt-bikers included). It has since become my favorite place to throw on the water-and-Larabar-stocked backpack and step up steadily to a breath-taking view(not to mention the several scenic sensations along the way). It is a fairly easy hike which I believe to be just over a mile up. At the top is the last operating fire tower in Colorado — manned by a seemingly content elderly man whose cabin sits at the top of the trail about 500 feet from the base of the many(emphasis on –many– stairs you climb to reach an amazing 360 degree view of Colorado. I’ve introduced many friends — both natives of Colorado, adopteds of Colorado, and out of staters to this trail. My favorite companion, however, is my toddler who impressively kept up with my usual pace as we tackled the well marked trails and off-trail rocks that brought us the views we drove out to find awe over. I look forward to the next time I am graced with the reprieve this little hike affords.
Suzy S.
Place rating: 5 Denver, CO
Seriously, this is where I want my ashes scattered when I die. No joke. If you are into riding dirt bikes, and are tired of the monotony of the track, try something completely different. Rampart Range is a trail system located in the South Platte Ranger District of the USDA Forest Service. The trails are maintained by the Rampart Range Motorcycle Management Committee, and volunteers. These trails are amazing! Considering the vastness of them, and the amount of damage done to them by constant use, and weather, they are in GREAT shape. There are definitely some areas that need repair every year, and I have had my share of crashes from getting caught in ruts or hitting boulders, but hey, that’s part of the fun! If you are not into motorized fun, there is a great walking trail that brings you to the top of Devil’s Head, where there is another 100 and something steps up to a tower where the forest rangers watch for fires throughout the area. The view is absolutely breath taking. Make a weekend of it and camp out in one of their camp sites. Just don’t be surprised if you awake to the sound of a two stroke dirt bike going by!
