Yesterday’s ride was tough but fun. We mountain biked Muleshoe and Chicken Creek by where we’re camping. Chicken Creek singletrack isn’t new to us, we rode it last year from a different starting spot. This time we started at Muleshoe trailhead and connected into the bottom of Chicken Creek. Our ride was 18 miles with 1823′ climbing.
Starting off at Muleshoe, we were treated to a nice singletrack jaunt through flowers, grasses and dry forest. It seems like it gets a bit of cattle traffic as it was hoofed out in spots. This trail connected to Chicken Creek connector with loose switchbacks down. The trail into Chicken Creek drainage was a fast descent and then for 7 miles the trail continues. It’s challenging in places with roots and rocks and plenty of creek crossings. Some of the climbing is pretty steep! Generally we climbed all the way out and then turned around and came back down. The climb back out at the end isn’t a joke though!
My favorite part of this ride is the remote feeling. We didn’t see anyone else, though I imagine on the weekends the area sees some hikers. The trees and grasses were so green! This is definitely mountain lion and bear territory, though the only larger animal I saw was a coyote.
Bingo, we saw our first columbine of Colorado this year! Edit, it wasn’t a columbine, it’s an iris.
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