I am going to be in Boulder for two weeks later this month and hoping someone could share advice with me on MTN biking trails.
I am going to be staying about a block away from Boulder Community Hospital. Are there any trail heads that start nearby that would be easy to ride to, as opposed to loading up the car and having to drive to?
Yes. Start here:
http://www.bouldercolorado.gov/index.php?Itemid=1922&id=3073&option=com_content&task=view
While there are trails within riding distance, you will have to spend some time on roads to get to them. I usually take my car to the trail head, but that’s because I’m lazy.
Surprisingly, there are not a ton of MTB trails here, so they can get crowded… especially on the weekends. I prefer midweek rides and often see very few other riders if I hit the trails around 4:00 during a week day.
Here is a link to a great site from the local MTB association. http://bouldermountainbike.org/content/trails/description Lots of good trail descriptions.
A couple of the more popular trails:
Heil Ranch: A few miles north of town off Left Hand Canyon. Gradual climbs with some flowy descents. Lots of loose rock which can be a bit of a shock for those used to nice dirt trails. Pretty overlook at the top looking Northwest.
Hall Ranch: These trails are up in Lyons and rides can include the “Rock Garden” which is a total bitch unless you are a stud.
Walker Ranch: This is West of town on the other side of Flagstaff Mountain. Amazing scenery, awesome descents, painful, painful climbs. This is my favorite local trail but it absolutely crushes me. Some people (studs) like to ride “Super Walker” which leaves from Boulder, goes up and over Flagstaff, around the Walker Ranch loop, and back over Flagstaff. Only Walker Ranch is dirt.
South of Boulder, Marshal Mesa, Doudy Draw, etc: Flatter stuff.
Have fun.
There is no mountain biking in Boulder (thank city council). 98miles of walking trails though…
See above post for places to drive or (long) ride to near boulder.
Marshall Mesa is the closest riding, but not very technical. Walker ranch and the trails in Lyons are good.
Aside from what has been mentioned, White Ranch and Centennial Cone are a bit of a drive, but are nice trails near Golden. Up by Nederland there is also good trails. When you get here you should go into a bike shop, buy a good map, and talk to the staff.