Pogwatigue Perambulations: Northern Burbs

Yesterday, I set out on my bike to explore some of the northern suburbs of Denver, an area within which I've spent very little time. I had hoped to make this ride my first century of the year, but I had to attend to some business in the morning and didn't start pedaling until after 11:30. I followed familiar routes for the first fifteen or so miles before arriving at the trailhead for the Fairmount Trail in the shadow of North Table Mountain. After five miles, it connected to the eminently more interesting Ralston Creek Trail. A couple switchbacks up a steep hillside brought me to the highest point on the trail--nearly 6,000 feet--with great views of the city and mountains.

I continued along or parallel to the Ralston Creek Trail eastward through Arvada, eventually finding my way to Majestic View Park and Nature Center. The staff there helped identify the Meadowlark as the sonorous bird I've been hearing frequently the last couple weeks. A trail/access road along the Farmers High Line Canal guided me much of the way northwest from the nature center to Standley Lake.

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I had some difficulty working my way counterclockwise around the large reservoir, but was able to find my way to a new trail in a a new city, Westminister. I followed this trail, Big Dry Creek, for the next hour. It was nice trail, but it took me further north then I intended to go. As a result, when I left it, I knew I had to stick with a fairly direct route back to Lakewood. I worked my way southeast through the neighborhoods of Thornton for seven-plus miles until I found the north trailhead for the South Platte River Trail, which after nearly two hours of riding head-on into a strong wind, brought me to within a few miles of my final destination. Surface streets brought me the rest of the way.

Trip Statistics
Length: 76.1 miles
Ride Time: 7 hours 30 minutes
Total Time: 8 hours 57 minutes
Avg. Speed: 10.1 MPH
Max. Speed: 28.7 MPH
Total Ascent: 3,200 ft.
Max Elev.: 5,994 ft.

Elevation Profile