If you can’t take the heat…ride at an even higher elevation! We rode Ramparts Loop before when in the area but we did a different version of it this time. We topped out at 9231′ where the temps were cooler.
This time we did a lollipop ride with the stick being a dirt/rock 4X4 road. To start the vegetation is all oak and ponderosa with grassy meadows. It rolls along before a sharp right onto some newish singletrack that heads up and up into thick aspens and fir trees. It rained the night before so the trails were in great shape though it was a bit muggy when we were enveloped with greenery.
After looping around on a beautiful forested dirt road connector, we picked back up the Ramparts Trail and descended back down. Ramparts Loop is rated Black Diamond/Advanced and this section of trail is rough in spots and more technical with steep rocky sections. Views are top notch!!!! At the bottom we hung a left and rode back out the lollipop stem.
We are hoping for some afternoon thunderstorms to start rolling through. Moisture is needed in the west!
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