Betasso - From Eben G. Fine Park using the Canyon Link Trail

This is great mountain bike ride you can do starting right in Boulder. You can drive up to the trailhead but what fun is that when you can easily ride up.

Start at Eben G. Fine park at the mouth of Boulder Canyon. Follow the bike path west up the canyon. The bike path turns to packed dirt about 1 mile up the canyon. Keep following the the path until it dead ends. You will now need to ride on the road for a little bit. When you see the short car tunnel look to the right and you will see the start of the Canyon Link Trail. This section of the trail is very loose and rocky so you might need to hike a little bit. You will eventually start hitting some switch backs to gain elevation.

Keep following the Canyon Link trail until you see the road. Cross the road and keep following the trail. You will eventually see the actual trail which is called the Canyon Loop. There will be a sign there with an arrow telling you which direction you should go. This section of the trail is relatively easy. There are a few rocky sections and some roots to contend with but all and all a very nice trail.

Follow the trail around for a loop and head back down the same way. Be careful descending the Canyon Link trail. The switch backs are tricky in spots and as you have already seen the bottom of the trail is very rocky and loose.

- Difficulty:
- 12.4 miles
- 2200 feet of climbing
- Most of the mountain biking is relatively easy except for the Canyon link trail which is very loose and rocky at the bottom of the trail.
- Close to mountain bikers Wednesdays and Saturdays.

From the DailyCamera article

Great photo set of the crews clearing away the snow for their typical Memorial weekend opening. Last year the road cyclist were strongly discouraged from riding Trail Ridge Road but I wonder if their work was completed before closure. Last I saw of it in July looked like they had a lot of work left.

All photos from Rocky Mountain National Park Public Gallery