The trail begins with a short uphill climb and you will quickly come upon a gate to your left. Go through this gate and turn right. PLEASE NOTE: The gate is closed from October 1st until May 1st, which leaves you with the Elder Fehn Trail (Also good) to ride. Once through the gate travel south towards the Peak. This short down hill section is named the Limber Pine Trail. At the bottom of Limber Pine, turn left and travel across the dirt road to access the trail. The trail weaves through a wetlands area for a couple hundred yards and then leads into the forest along the banks of North Catamount. Through this section there are a couple good climbs that lead you away from the reservoir. Once you've reached the top of the last climb there is double track along a high ridge, which offers beautiful glimpses of Pikes Peak. The trail quickly descends a pretty beat up, rooted, washed out section and drops you into a dirt Cul-de-sac. A short distance away there is an intersection, which leads down to both South and North Catamount Reservoirs. Go straight and ride on Ridge Trail Road until you reach the dam. *There may be some single track along the bank of North Catamount, but the dirt road offers a quick pace and a moment to rest your legs.* Cross the dam and look for "Trail" signs on your left that will lead you back to the banks of the lake. This is a great section that meanders in and out of coves, much like Rampart Reservoir, but easier. Eventually the single track drops into another dirt Cul-de-sac. There are two roads leading out and one single track. The single track follows the lake, but is less defined. The less traveled road is also a good option. If you are beat, you can take the main road back out. The single track will lead you back to Limber Pines trail, which you would return on. The two roads entail an uphill climb that intersect with the Catamount road. Turn left once you reach this road. Once on the road look for an access point on your right hand side for the upper portion of the Limber Pines trail, which is also part of the Ring the Peak trail. This short portion of single track will take you back to the gate and back to the parking lot. If for some reason you miss the access point, you will eventually come back down to the reservoir where you would take the Limber Pine trail back up the way you came down. Please Note: I labeled this trail as single track because a large portion is. However, a quarter of the trail is on dirt roads.
I am not a big fan of the shoreline riding found here (or at Rampart Reservoir) -- it is relatively flat and leisurely. However, the trails around Catamount, as laid out here, have their value. First, they offer beautiful scenery both the immediate views and of course the views of the North Face of Pikes Peak. The beauty of the lakes themselves (North and South Catamount) adds a nice variety to the PP region. Second, there is also a lot of wildlife to experience on these trails. Third, these trails provide a great riding experience for newer riders - not technical, great experience in nature, some speed in places, and some physical challenge. The route here has one extended demanding climb (up Limber Pine Trail).
One change I would definitely recommend to this route is to avoid the Ridge Trail (Road) between the lakes. Take the alternate route that runs along the northwest shore of South Catamount Reservoir. It is all singletrack shore riding except on the very west end (short tough road climb at the end heading clockwise). You can access this trail from the SCR dam or from the little Kinnickinnick Trail just after you pass the NCR dam. The Kinnickinnick trailhead is off to the right just as you get onto the road to the SCR dam.
For more experienced riders, the Catamount trail system still offers some nice riding on the west end of the system. The Elder-Fehn, Vayhinger, Limber Pine and Catamount Trails are all fun trails. They are more rigorous and can be combined to get in some decent mileage.
Finally, much of this trail system is at an elevation of about 9200' to 9700'. Catamount Trail rises up over 10,200'. So this makes the system a cool alternative to many of the Colorado Springs rides on hot summer days. The temps are generally anywhere from 15 to 20 degrees cooler than the Springs. The trailhead is 45-50 minutes away from many places in the Springs, making it a reasonable option for an after-work summer evening ride.
| ThankWas surprised by how much I enjoyed this trail, after reading the reviews thought it was going to be a very average trail. This trail was anything but average! Not a beginer trail- if you can ride this trail without dismounting you are an intermediate rider or better. The trail itself has no features that make it challanging, but the hills are far to difficult to be considered a beginer trail. I ride 4-5 days a week and can tell you I was breathing hard at the top. All trails in this area are beautiful, but this one is above the rest. Take any level, just warn your new riders they may have to walk unless they are in great shape. Almost gave it 4 stars. The stretch from the dam until you reach the return trail is a 4 star plus section. Will ride it again. Less road than expected.
| ThankThis is a scenic ride and that is its strongest point. Parts of trail are old doubletracks. Good sustained climb returning to parking lot out of the lake.
| ThankCool ride around the reservoir. It shares some of the Ring the Peak Trail on the north side. It's a little hilly, but the trails are so good that you won't have to walk your bike.
| ThankThis trail has a few big climbs that get your heart rate up, some beautiful views, but it has a little too much road, and it's a little too short. You can extend it a little by veering south and riding along South Catamount to avoid the road section, but it doesn't enhance the ride much. Still, it's a great ride if you only have an hour.
| ThankIntermediate as far as cardo is concerned. Lots of sustained climbing. Beginner as far as skill level.
| ThankNot much tech, lotsa great scenery. If you start from the parking area by Catamount Ranch, you will face a couple lung-searing climbs. Otherwise, the only hazard is the loose gravel. The singletrack isn't as good as most of the rides in the Springs, but it gets three stars just for the views of the peak.
| ThankFun trail! As this was my first time out here, it was a little confusing as theres quite a few forks. good thing though is that the trails are well marked and just about every fork has a map. so it just took some time to get my bearings. some good long climbs and GREAT views. most of the trail is sandy so be careful
| ThankFun place to ride, scenery is amazing, Catamount Res loop ties into the Catamount Ranch trail system too. See Teller County's Park Dept page for more info and maps: http://www.tellersteps.org/PARKS/Catamount/Catamount%20Trails.pdf
| ThankGreat Ride! Really nothing technical, but the scenery is great and there are some uphill parts that will defiantly get you breathing. For my ride the beginning where you hit the reservoir was very wet and muddy, so be prepared to drop into an easier gear and "wade" through it.
| ThankBeginner trail, with only a few challenging sections. About 70-30 single track vs. dirt service roads.
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