Took one of the editors from the Denver post on this ride.http://www.denverpost.com/extremes/ci_6391185This loop incorporates the singletrack around Georgetown into a big loop. It can also be divided into two shorter loops. Pavilion Point/Silverdale or Silver Creek Empire Pass. The route best ridden counterclockwise.This technical ride takes you through Georgetown's surrounding old mining camps and towns many of which have been long abandoned. You ride on old wagon roads, mule trails and railroad grades that barley remain on the mountainside! Many of the old pack walls have fallen or are ready to fall leaving only a narrow trail to ride on.
Follow the signs to the Georgetown Loop Railroad continue on the bike path to Silver Plume ride up the Argentine R.R. grade past Pavilion Point to Waldorf Road. This is a seven mile climb. Left on Waldorf Road down to Gunella Pass Road. The ride down is fast rocky and kind of technical. There is a singletrack on the SE side of the road that takes you to the bottom of the switchback. Cross over Gunella Pass road to the upper Silverdale entrance. This section has been ridden quite a bit this year and the track is obvious. From here it's a technical ride to Georgetown on singletrack! Ride across three bridges to the rolling singlrtrack under the power line through Silverdale. The descent to Georgetown is so technical that even walking your bike is difficult! But it's ride able. When you reach the water tank ride the road down to Georgetown. Beware the gate is sometimes closed . Hang a right to downtown. Find Main Street by the old Public Service Plant. Follow Main Street to Silver Creek Trail. Ride Silver Creek Trail to it's end. Head east on the double track to the Spring Creek four wheel drive sign. Head SE a hundred yards or so pick up the double track that crosses the creek. Follow this down to Dumont. This is an ugly rocky fire road in places! When you reach the bottom go left and ride past the Animal Shelter. Follow the old road up along the creek to the frontage road. Take the frontage road to Empire Junction. Follow the gas line across the meadow at the base of Douglas Mountain to Minton Park in Empire. If you can't find it take US 40 to Empire left on Main to the park. Continue on Main ( Bard Creek) to Empire Pass Back to Georgetown.
I know it's kind of complicated but this is turning out to be a great ride. Route finding is moderate. If you copy and print the directions you should be able to find your way
