| Buffalo
Creek (updated
10/19/09) |
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Registration includes a drawstring backpack and real food. Remember to sign up for the final race in the Fall Front Range Trail Series Course description: 7.5mi, with 1,300' of climbing, on forested dirt trails, on a mix of flat, steep and rolling terrain. The trails are mostly soft with good footing, so you can really fly on the downhills. It's a lollipop loop, starting alongside the S Platte river, in Pine Valley Open Space Park, climbing into the Buffalo Creek (non-burn) area of the Pike National Forest, and descending back to the river. Aid Stations: Two aid stations at approximately 3.2 mi (water and sports drink), at the top of the big climb, and 6.2 mi (water only). Rock by rock: The course will be extremely well marked for the race with lots of signs and accurately placed mile markers. I guarantee* that you won't get lost. *entry fee refunded (not including online registration fees)
Start by the shelter, below the main lot. Head W, onto the wide Narrow Gauge path, and along the N side of the river. After 0.4mi, go left across the bridge. The trail turns to single track as you enter the forest. It's a gradual climb at first, with one steep but very short rise. Stay straight at the trail junction onto the Buck Gulch trail. You'll come back down from the trail on the left, Strawberry Jack. Buck Gulch starts with a sharp right turn, and the first of a series of steep hills. Pass mile 1, then turn back to the left. The trail continues up a series of alternating climbs and flatter sections. It isn't that rocky, but can be sandy in spots. The climbs are steeper (some pitches > 15%) and the flat sections shorter towards the bottom, with mile 2 being the hardest/steepest. As you pass mile 2, the climbs are less steep and the flat sections longer. There's even a short downhill or two as you climb to the top of Buck Gulch, ~ 3.28mi, ~7,900', the first aid station - water and sports drink. Go around the trail kiosk, and left onto the Skipper Jack trail. This is a nice, . The first ~½ mi is a very gradual downhill on a nice, hard packed, single track trail, and very fast; let 'er rip. You'll have to slow a bit through a couple of tight turns with a rocky section in between. Then continue a moderate descent, passing mile 4, and down to a small creek. Cross the creek, then climb a hill up the other side. The ~200m climb is very steep at the bottom, and gradually flattening out. Over the crest, gradually descend a soft single track to a 4-way trail junction. Go left down the Strawberry Jack trail. This junction is unmanned, but will be well marked. Strawberry Jack starts as a fairly wide path, with a moderate descent, on somewhat sandy dirt; let 'er rip. After the first of several very steep sections, pass mile 5. The path narrows, can be sandy, and has a few ruts, but the better downhill runners will be still be able to fly, with a little caution. ~5½mi, you'll have to slow through a couple of tight turns and rocks. Exiting the turn, it's a very steep decline into the denser trees. The trail gradually flattens out again at the bottom. The footing is pretty good there, so the better descenders might be approaching sub-4 pace here. Pass mile 6 at the start of the final climb, a ¼mi moderate climb up to the final aid station - water only. Stay left at the top onto the final descent back. This is a true single track back in denser forest. It's moderately steep, a few rocks, but not that technical. There are a few very tight turns just before the bottom. Back at the junction with Buck Gulch, go right and continue descending. As you exit the forest, stay left at the Y, heading towards the bridge. Cross the bridge, then right on the Narrow Gauge path to the finish. Driving & Parking: Please carpool to save money, gas and carbon. Create your own map/directions and/or follow the directions below. From C470 in Morrison, take hwy 285 S 19.5mi to Pine Junction. Turn left at the light, S, down hwy 126. Continue 6mi down the road. Before you get to the bottom take a sharp right onto Crystal Lake Rd. Follow the road ~¾ to the end. Parking: Parking is limited. Please carpool to save money, gas and carbon. Carpool: Please carpool to save money, gas and carbon. PickupPal - Find riders/drivers to any Runuphill Racing event (or anywhere else you may be going). Denver Trail Runners - Post a message to the group. Boulder Trail Runners - Post a message to the group. Incline Club - Colo Springs area. Post a message on their message board. Or, on race day, meet at the dirt lot just outside of Morrison, at the corner of Morrison and Rooney Roads, just W of C470. Look for other racers and arrange rides on your own from there. It's about a 45 min drive from there to the start. Get there by 7:15am so that you have plenty of time to find other racers, find your way to the race, register, use the bathroom, and warm-up before the race. |
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