There are two different flavours of rides here.
The Meadow trail is the easier option. The singletrack
is wide most of the way and has only a few technical sections (switchbacks, rocks, etc.). The trail is fast, particularly when you head into the meadow about halfway into the loop.
The Bergen Peak area is much steeper and more technical.
Watch for other trail users as this is a popular trail with hikers and bikers alike.
Check out the map before you head out and grab your own copy at the trailhead if available. There are a ton of options out here so it's quite possible to get lost (or miss out on the fun sections). Bon apetit.
 | Bergen Peak |   | 8 mi |
 | Elk Ridge |  | 1 mi |
 | Founders | | 1 mi |
| Meadow View | | 3 mi |
| Painters Pause | | 2 mi |
 | Sleepy "S" | | 1 mi |
| Too Long | | 3 mi |
Scenic loop around a beautiful meadow. I rode this trail when it was partially covered in snow. Nothing very technical, but a real joy to ride.
| ThankIt's what you want! Steeps that make you work for it you will prob walk up a couple sections and then the decent that is fun and fast. I didn't go to the top top because there was a race going on when I did it but it is definitely one I'll be going back for. Like all trails within an hour of Denver get there early.
| ThankIf you decide to include the Bergen loop, there is no way that this is an intermediate trail. Over 6k of uphill with loose rock, technical and roots. All it takes is a good "motor".
| ThankBrutal, but fun!
| ThankA fun buff loop with a handful of options. Great scenery. A really fun winter fat bike ride but the inclines can get pretty icy in the shade of the trees.
| ThankThis ride is different clockwise from counterclockwise. Counter is too tough for me now.
| ThankGood climb up, it's techy, steep in a couple sections. Mostly rideable, but you'll get off a few times most likely. Went up Bergen Peak and down Too Long. Fun downhill, technical, fast in stretches, tight switchbacks. Gotta work for it, and definitely is not a mindless downhill.
| ThankSuper fast downhills on the Sleepy S. Oh but watch out. The volunteer "patrol" crews are over zealous douchers who like to put on a little show. But avoid them and its a fun tall to rip.
| ThankA good ride. Nice and easy down in the meadow, but no way the ascent/descent is a Blue/Intermediate. The Bergen Peak sections should be rated Black/Difficult.
| ThankGood beginner trail in a beautiful meadow, a couple of deep gravel patches that will bog you down momentarily, decent workout on the ascent, but all very rideable.
| ThankTook the whole family 49,48,14 and 9. Did the meadow loop clockwise, everyone enjoyed it. The uphill was on the verge of being too much but didn't last long and the long downhill run out made it all worth it. Loop was only about 5 miles.
| ThankThis trail is very steep (especially if you go up Too Long). The climb is is pretty brutal. I rode back down the Bergen Peak Trail to extend my downhill, which I think that was the right call. Lots of flow mixed with technical rocks on the way down. Bring an extra lung for the altitude... and expect a little snow here and there in then spring. I will definitely be coming back to this trail.
| ThankAn excellent trail, typical of the JeffCo parks. We rode the "lower loop" counter-clockwise (painter's-meadow view-lazy s) and it was perfect to enjoy with my wife, who is easily intimidated but wants to improve. She had to get off her bike on a couple tricky steps of climbing, but zoomed down all the downhill.
| ThankTook the meadow view -> sleepy s -> painter's pause -> back to meadow view route and it was perfect for a beginner like me. It was really fun to start out riding downhill over bunny hops on sleep s and the counter clockwise meadow view route I thought was a little easier than going the other way.
| ThankHad my ass kicked by the elevation gain. unrelenting.
The trail is tough - but that does not make it bad.
Descent down Too Long was too fun!
| ThankLove the flowing downhill
| ThankSmooth and easy
| ThankConnetions...
| ThankThis is a fantastic trail. Get there early on the weekends to avoid all the hikers. enough climbing to give you a good bit of cardio, but still a great read for even a novice as long as they take it slow. One of my favorite rides.
| ThankElk Meadow and the open space here really has two distinct levels of mountain biking trails. One is the Meadow View/Elk Ridge/Founder/Sleepy "S" and the other is Bergen Peak/Too Long. They are Beginner/Intermediate and Advanced, respectively. Only one thing to add to these reviews - I recommend reading reviews of Bergen Peak, which details these trails, also. Bergen Peak should be listed as a subset of Elk Meadow.
| Thank