This is a tough but rewarding ride. Some insane climbs and some killer downhill sections all of which can be ridden! Lots of technical rocky sections. You ride through open meadows. lodgepole and aspen forests . Some double track ,and sections of fine singletrack. Route finding is difficult on Van Eden property but hopefully with time the trail will get worn in.
From the parking lot ride up the road (F.R. 194) climbing over the waterbars. This section is steep but short. I always feel like Iím going to blow up. Turn right at the first intersection (F.R.194.2)cross the creek if there is one. As you enter the meadow look for Barbour Fork Trail (#48) on the right. Follow this singletrack a couple miles until it comes back out on F,R. 194.2 turn left this section is called collarbone alley. When you reach the valley, cross the creek and climb up to Van Eden Meadow on F.R.194.2. From here the route finding becomes more difficult due to the number of trails in the area. You basically make a loop around the meadow pick up a trail on the south side of the meadow back to the start. Hopefully we will have a gps track and this section marked soon. You can always return back on the road.
I thought this trail was hard to follow. In some sections the trail seems to disappear, even with a GPS that told me I was right on the trail. Some of the downhill through the woods is straight down, no cross slope with bad erosion happening. Not well planned. I also ran into a fresh mountain lion kill up there. I wish there were more trails around Idaho Springs as options to the crowded front range, but I never really get the urge to go back to Barbour.
| ThankI thought this trail was really pretty. However, there are A LOT of folks up there shooting, which isn't too comforting. We were riding through a valley and a hunter was huddled in the bushes on the left side of the trail and aiming at something on the right side of the trail...
| ThankI live very near part of this trail. I love the peaceful meadows. I'm all about senic views and the wildlife. I do agree, be careful with the mtn lions. I saw him last week in my back yard! There are also some over curious black bear. just be careful and enjoy the trail. it is worth it. if you go all the way over to the four wheel road, some of that has some rough tore up sections.
| Thankgreat trail but towards the top where it gets pretty secluded i spotted a mountain lion trotting towards me in the woods. i turned and fled.
| Thank