This ride gets a bad rap but it's actually one of the better loops in the Canon City area. Granted, the climb up Stultz trail doesn't let up, is worn in by ATVs, and bakes in the sun on hot days. However, the descent on Tanner trail through East Bear Gulch is a great payoff - a steep, technical, and fast 3 mile drop back to your car. Still want more? When you get back to the car at the East Bear Gulch trailhead, pedal another mile or so up CR 143 to the start of the ~15 mile Lion Canyon Loop.
You will start your ride by heading back down CR 143 to the Stultz trailhead (you also have the option of parking/starting your ride here if you don't mind ending with a short climb) that you passed at about the 9 mile mark on your drive up CR 143. Climb Stultz trail for a long while (5 miles), passing many scenic resting spots on the continuous climb. After a couple hrs or so of uphill, take Tanner trail when it turns off to the left, and begin the descent down East Bear Gulch. Keep it together for the 3 miles of steep, narrow, and rocky trail to pop out back at the car at the East Bear Gulch trailhead. Link with the Lion Canyon Loop, a short pedal up CR 143, for a monster ~25 mile ride.
I think this is a better hike than a mountain bike ride, unless you like taking your bike for a walk. It is beautiful. My dog did this one with me and treed a mountain lion about half way up the Tanner trail. (see pics) Watch your back.
| ThankThis one is something of a masochistic adventure. If you like the idea of slogging up 2100 verts in about 3.5 miles on rutted, sand&gravel filled ATV track, then this is a great trail. The good news is that there's spectacular scenery at every break in the trees and the altitude (this one tops out well over 9K ft) will keep you a bit cooler than Canon City and it's immediate surroundings. Once up high, the grade abates for a couple miles before you turn left with some more moderate climbing before the all out plummet back to the car. The plummet is mostly fun but will cause most riders a lot of trouble. It gets very narrow and throws horrendous, rock-strewn switchbacks at you at regular intervals. All but the best riders will dismount about a half-dozen times. As of summer 2012, the "trail" is mostly just a steep, unsustainable washout that threads its way between the most inconveniently located rocks. I'm glad I did it, but I doubt I'l do it again.
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