This is a very pleasant two-way back-country sub-alpine cross-country trail suitable for riders with intermediate skills. It traverses aspen forest and high-country meadows as it climbs steadily southwards through Medicine Bow Routt National Forests. The gradient is extremely well controlled - your gluteus maximus won't burn and your chain won't stretch. After 10 miles the trail comes out onto the road near Spring Creek but is still being extended (July 2017) through the forest. From there you could return by the road but don't - the ride back down the trail is mainly down-sloping fun.
For the first couple of hundred yards this trail follows the well known Spring Creek Trail that runs from Buffalo Pass to Steamboat Springs and visa-versa. Then it branches off to the left and stays close to the crest of the hill.
This is a cross-country trail that you ride for the pleasure of nature - you'll be seeing wild flowers rather than technical trail features.
Just rode the newest leg of Flash of Gold. I understand this lower 5 mile section was added in 2017. We started at the lower Dry Lake TH, and finished at the upper TH, along Buffalo Pass Rd #60. It rises 1000 vertical feet, and has an average 4% grade.
| ThankThe grade was a nice climb, with many flatter sections between some of the short,steeper sections. It meanders through some large open meadows, and most of it is within large aspen tracks.
While many take the BTR one-way DH trail back to the Dry Creek TH, we went back down Flash of Gold. Wow, what a nice flowy downhill. This gradient is, I think, a real good one, in that you really only need braking sporadically. The switchbacks are a little tight for the DH, but they add some interesting change to the mostly winding route.
If you need a more gradual climb, than much of the front of Emerald, this is the ticket.
Enjoy.
This is a very well made intermediate cross-country trail with lots of variable scenery and greenery!
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