Boulder, CO - Super Jamestown

Author: admin

24 Apr

Overview:
This mountainous ride connects the old mining towns of Jamestown and Ward, both popular cycling destinations, in a challenging loop which includes the scenic Peak to Peak Highway. It includes a killer climb past Jamestown, and a few miles of dirt roads.

Difficulty: Difficult

Distance: 40 miles.

Total Elevation Gain: 5,065 ft.

Description:
Start at the junction of Broadway and Highway 36 and ride north on 36 for approximately 5 miles to Left Hand Canyon Drive. Take left on Left Hand (west) and ride up to the point where the road makes a Y with Left Hand Canyon continuing on the left, and James Canyon Drive on the right. Go right onto James Canyon Drive and continue climbing through the bergs of Springdale and Jamestown until you reach the Peak to Peak Highway (Hwy 72). Take a left (south) on 72 and continue on the town of Ward - which is a fine place to stop and have lunch before you start your descent back to Boulder. From Hwy 72 in Ward, go left (east) on Indiana Gulch Road and descend down through the rest of Ward. About a mile past Ward the road turns into Left Hand Canyon Drive, which you’ll take all the way down to Lee Hill Drive (about 2/3 of the way down the canyon). Go right (west) on Lee Hill and climb over it’s namesake, then continue on into Boulder, emerging at Broadway Road.

Variations:

If you’re still feeling strong when you reach Ward, take right (west) at the Brainard Lake turnoff right as you come into town. Climb up to Brainard Lake - which takes you to just over 10,000 ft. elevation - and ride the loop around the lake. Return back to Ward the way you came and connect back into the loop by taking Indiana Gulch into Ward. Note: there is a bicycle entrance fee that needs to be paid at the station just before the lake. It’s only a few bucks, and well worth it to enter this scenic area. This variation adds just under ten miles and another thousand feet of climbing to the original route.