This is a nice easy ride requiring no technical skills on mostly double track on wide open rolling hills. It's similar to the New Santa Fe trail, but not as smooth due to the double track and some minor ruts on the trail from erosion. From the parking lot, ride about 1 mile north to a trail junction where the Kipp's Loop trail starts. Head east, taking the loop in a counter-closckwise direction. The trail will rise steadily through open fields for about a mile to the top of a hill where you'll find the grave of a late 19th century pioneer (Kipp). The trail will now descend along the edge of a ponderosa forest with nice views of the Rampart Range to the south and west. The trail will once again connect back with the Greenland trail which can be followed back South to the trailhead. This trail can also be ridden as a continuation of the northern end of the New Santa Fe trail.
Agreed that this is a pretty dull ride across the prairie; maybe good for exercise but not much else. The only technical challenge you'll face is the quick twitch necessary to dodge horse poo. I have one route suggestion to make it more interesting--there is a connector trail that crosses the middle of the loop--called "Luge." It is best taken from the Greenland trail when riding the loop clockwise. This is a decent option because the Luge actually resembles singletrack and actually has some flow if taken downhill. To get enough miles take Luge until you hit the T with the main trail, go left, follow Kipp's loop back around to Luge again, take it again and go right at the T back to the parking area, making a figure 8. To really get some miles, add on Spruce Meadow (which is actually more boring than Kipp's) and Spruce Mountain (which has a great climb to the top of a beautifully forested bluff with great views).* Review edited 10/1/2010
| ThankOne word...Boring! Covered with horse apples and dog poo. Add mad head winds in every direction for a bonus.
| ThankRode this trail July 14, 2007. First 1/4 mile is very rutted. First 2 miles are mostly up hill to Kipps grave. Great ride for the exercise. I would rate it as a Advance Beginner ride, due to the rutts and fast down hill with several surprise bumps/mogs.
| ThankJust a couple of wet areas which you will ride around.
Have fun.
Rode this trail 6/30/06. For a weekday ride (noonish) it was pretty deserted. I saw three other riders (one I passed and two coming the other way). No singletrack sections, no wooded sections. Beautiful views!
| ThankAvoid this trail on weekends or you'll end up spending much of your time yielding to horses. Weekdays after work I haven't yet encountered a horse.
| ThankSee the Douglas County site for map and info
| Thank