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Slug Gulch / Dorado Canyon Loop
Alternate 1: Return on Dorado Canyon Rd
Alternate 2: Return on E16 / Mt Aukum Rd
| Level of Difficulty:
Difficult (2400' total climbing for Dorado Canyon Loop, and 2600' climbing
for E16 Loop) |
|
| Riding Time: 2.5 hours |
Printable Area Map: Slug
Gulch / Dorado Canyon Loop (Adobe
Acrobat required) |
| Season to Ride: Late
Spring though Fall |
|
Description: This ride is
one of the longer loops in the region. It takes you on the quiet Perry
Creek Rd, then starts the 2.8 mile climb up Slug Gulch. Although this is a
difficult climb, you are rewarded at the top with some of the finest cycling
around - with quiet, relatively flat riding all the way to Omo Ranch Rd.
At this point traffic will somewhat, but you have a wonderful downhill (with a
few small rolling hills) to Dorado Canyon or E16 - depending on which way you
want to go. Traffic note: At this
point, Dorado Canyon Rd is an unmarked private road. Permission to go
through can be revoked at any time. When riding though here, be especially
kind to cars and residents, and we should be able to continue riding this.
If permission does get revoked, then you need to continue on Omo Ranch Rd to E16
/ Mt. Aukum Rd (Alternate 2 Ride), turning right at the intersection. This will add 2 miles
to the route, and E16 / Mt. Aukum Rd has more traffic than Dorado Canyon Rd, but
either way is good.
Both routes are on the same printout, so you can decide when you get to Dorado
Canyon which way you'd like to go.
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0.0
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Start
at Pioneer Park. Go directly across Fairplay and start riding on
Perry Creek Rd.
Park location is 200 yards east of the intersection of E16 and Fairplay
Rd (on Fairplay Rd).
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3.4
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Turn
Left on Slug Gulch Rd. Start 2.8 mile climb up Slug Gulch.
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6.0
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First
of two switchbacks.
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6.2
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Second
of two switchbacks. Climb becomes more gradual now.
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8.8
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Slug
Gulch Rd ends. Turn Right on Omo Ranch Rd. Traffic increases
here.
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14.0
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Pass
Fairplay Rd (continue straight).
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17.0
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Two
alternates to the ride exist here
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Alternate 1: Dorado Canyon Rd (quieter, shorter
route but goes on private road) |
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17.0
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Turn
Right on Dorado Canyon Rd (private road). Not clearly marked in this
direction.
White fence, and paved road are basic indicators.
Ride on this road with good respect to cars and people so we may
continue riding here.
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17.8
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Start
of very sharp descent to creek.
Go slowly down this.
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18.3
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Cross
creek at bottom of hill.
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19.9
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Dorado
Canyon Rd ends.
Turn Left on Fairplay Rd.
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20.4
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Ride
ends at Pioneer Park.
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Alternate 2: E16 Mt Aukum Rd (main roads all the
way through - heavier traffic on E16) |
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17.0
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Pass
Dorado Canyon Rd (other alternate route)
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17.5
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Omo
Ranch Rd ends. Turn Right on E16.
Traffic increases here.
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19.3
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Pass
D’Agostini Dam.
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19.8
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Begin
0.8 mile climb (more of a staircase type climb)
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22.1
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Turn
Right on Fairplay Rd
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22.2
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End
ride at Pioneer Park.
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