10 Miles Out,Back 7700-9250 Elevation

The Hotel Gulch jeep road, eight miles north of Woodland Park, is one of the few connections between Highway 67 and the Rampart Range Plateau. This pretty ride climbs through forest and meadows, and passes beaver ponds. It's a hard climb but not technical and real fun on the way down.

Starting from the wide meadow in front of the Experimental Forest building, head east on Forest Road 346. The first few miles follows the creek, making a scenic ride with mossy boulders and green trees. The tall spruce canopy provides plenty of needed shade. A lot of the side roads are driveways, so stay on the road till you reach the top.

The road starts out fairly easy but after about a mile it starts getting a little steep. A few really steep sections will wear out even veteran riders, but the road is in good shape and can be ridden the whole way by someone with good legs. For the rest of us, plan on several rest breaks as this road climbs 1500 feet in five miles.

After a while the road veers away from the creek and starts a tough climb up the backside of Mount Deception. It then crosses into Spruce Gulch and after crossing the creek take a right turn at the fork. The rest of the road is a beautiful climb through heavy forest and even passes a series of beaver ponds. They're too small to swim in but those riding up might be tempted.

Once on Rampart Range Road, the only back down is on the same road. The parallel routes to the north and south cross private property and are off limits. Whether you start at the top or ride both ways, coasting the whole way back down is a load of fun. But keep your speed down; cars, hairpins and rocks tend to jump out of nowhere.

To get to the Hotel Gulch Road, drive through Woodland Park and at the last light, in front of Gold Hill Plaza, turn right onto Highway 67 north. Drive north eight miles to the Rangewood entrance just past Manitou Lake. Turn right and park the car off the road to the right. Ride around the bend to the left then turn right and go past the Experimental Forest building, heading east on Forest Road 346, the Hotel Gulch Road.