From the trailhead, head out on Doudy Draw. After a short ride (maybe a mile or a mile-and-a-half), you'll come to a junction with the Spring Brook South Trail. Take a right, and head up to the South / North fork. You can ride this loop in either direction (I prefer counterclockwise, starting with the North fork).
This is a pretty easy ride that's close to Boulder and the southern suburbs. The first part of the trail is a smooth walking path that gets rockier as it climbs toward the trees. Even the rockiest parts of the trail aren't very technically challenging, and the climb is pretty gentle. Once you reach the far side of the loop, you start descending and can coast most of the way back down to the trailhead.
Best trail in the area. Start with very nice, up-close views of the flatirons, climb into the Ponderosa forest, and bomb back out (watch for hikers though). This is a very pleasant loop with enough climbing (coming from either Doudy Draw or Community Ditch) to get the heart rate up, but not enough to wear you out.
| ThankLet's face it: reviews are made by people with a variety of talents and an ever-changing idea of what the ideal trail looks like. So take this for what it is and know that I'm a weak climber but can bomb downhill. I like fast/flowy trails with rock gardens, but I don't want the terrain to be so technical that I can never get in a groove. I'd rather feel like I'm on a roller coaster than on bumper cars. Did I say I'm a weak climber? Must be my belly.
Anyway, I rated this trail as a 3. There is nothing technical besides a few small rock gardens and is similar to Betasso in that you spend half the trail climbing, half the trail descending.
The trail is excellent for someone like me: a weak climber that NEEDS to spend time trying to get better. Coupled with Doudy Draw from the trailhead, I have found a perfect after-work trail that works my cardio and legs in the ways I need, but also rewards me with a fun-enough DH. The climbing is steady but not overwhelming. I wouldn't waste the drive or time to ride Spring Brook if I lived out-of-town. But if you're in Boulder, Louisville, Superior - - it's a pretty sweet track to keep your butt on the bike without having to drive a while.
So, as a "backyard" ride (giving me the workout I need with my weaknesses), I give it a 4. If I were an expert rider, I'd give it a 2. If I were a true beginner, it's perfect!
| ThankFun loop with a nice section through the trees. The trail is a bit rocky in places. Can also be ridden from Flatirons vista via Doudy Draw.
| ThankThis is probably the nicest trail in the Marshall Mesa/South Boulder area. Coming from the Dowdy Draw parking lot makes for a decent cardiovascular challenge. There is typically a lot of wildlife in the area as well.
I prefer the CCW loop but there really isn't a significant difference between CW vs CCW.
| ThankFun, easy, fast little loop. Great way to extend riding from Marshall Mesa over to Doudy Draw, etc. Quick singletrack
| ThankThis is one of my favorite quick rides on the front range. It's close to Boulder / Superior / Louisville, isn't too difficult, and can be ridden quickly before the sun goes down in the spring and fall. The descent isn't super challenging, but it's a fun one.
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