16.5 miles
Distance
3,154 ft
Climb
-3,156 ft
Descent
1 mile
High Point
When climbing up Argos and Pick-n-sledge trail on ODD numbered days, keep a lookout for downhill traffic.
A climb up the Apex system with several challenging tech sections followed by a long and fast, flowing descent.
This route takes a loop approach to combine several of Golden's top trails ending with a long and fast flowing descent down Chimney Gulch.
Starting near the bottom of Chimney Gulch, allows for several good parking options. This also allows to for a good warm up along the paved US 6 Trail as you make your way to Apex Park.
The climb up Apex provides several steeper sections scattered with technical step-ups and rocky cruxes, eventually coming to a great overlook of Golden and a high point to start off the first descent down Bonanza Trail. You will then re-climb a short section to complete the first mini loop prior to heading further west along the Apex Trail to the second descent down the highly entertaining Enchanted Forest Trail. You will then re-climb a short section of the Apex Trail thus completing the second mini loop. This time you will top out the Apex Trail then head north along Lookout Mountain Trail where you will start your final 1800' descent down Chimney Gulch Trail
Thanks to countless sweaty hours from volunteers within the community and the Golden Giddyup the Chimney Gulch trail has seen great improvements creating a wonderful downhill trail.
Detailed Description
Ape' Ney - Apex to Chimney is a 17 mile popular expert route located near Golden Colorado. This mountain bike only route can be used one direction and has a hard overall physical rating. This route includes 14 trails. This route climbs 3,154 ft with a max elevation of 7,564 ft then descends -3,156 ft.
Route Supporters
Best of Colorado MTB
since 2019
Best of North America MTB
since 2019
Links
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19 Reviews & Comments
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+ 0
seanlah
(Mar 14, 2023 at 8:47)
Trail Chimney Gulch
Mostly boring, wide bench cut. A couple difficult but uninteresting rock gardens. Requires some fitness to climb but very little rider input whatsoever to decend. Excellent view from the top at Windy Saddle.
[Reply]
Zarbia
(Feb 3, 2023 at 8:18)
(Feb 3, 2023 at 8:18)
Is This trail and area rideable in late February weather and trail condition wise?
[Reply]
Jrhockney
(Oct 23, 2022 at 20:38)
(Oct 23, 2022 at 20:38)
Trail Chimney Gulch
This is my kind of black Trail. It's overall difficulty probably averages out to blue/black since there are quite a few long sections of blue moderately steep climbing split up by the blackish Rock Garden sections that aren't very long. Most of the black sections you can probably just hit with speed without too much front wheel lifting but the speed required will definitely take some black level endurance going uphill. Going down this is arguably a blue downhiller Trail since they're almost always steeper and more technical than regular blue trails and the berms make it more downhiller friendly besides a few tight switchbacks that are a bit questionable at normal downhiller speeds. Overall, a great Trail that has just enough space between the hard parts for a good biker with good endurance to potentially clear in one shot.
[Reply]
chuckmallott
(Aug 5, 2022 at 6:37)
(Aug 5, 2022 at 6:37)
Trail Hardscrabble
Great little trail - I rode it going downhill and it was a blast.
[Reply]
chuckmallott
(Aug 5, 2022 at 6:36)
(Aug 5, 2022 at 6:36)
Trail Enchanted Forest
First part is really nice through the wood ... the 2 punchy climbs were completely unwelcome to me as I had just spent 2 hours climbing to get up there. Was expecting this to be all downhill. 
(my fault) The second part is lots of rock garden, but still fun.
[Reply]
(my fault) The second part is lots of rock garden, but still fun.
gregs22
(Dec 17, 2021 at 10:49)
Trail Enchanted Forest
One of the best trails in Golden but also one of the most popular. A rollercoaster ride through the trees with roots, rocks and berms. This trail basically has it all. It's borderline black not because the descending is especially hard or technical (there are a couple spots of chunk) but there are a couple of super punchy climbs with roots/rocks that you will probably be in the wrong gear for. This trail stays snowy/icy/muddy longer than most so check ahead.
[Reply]
cmcquade
(May 13, 2021 at 21:03)
Both Chim-pex (up chimney down apex) and this version are great rides. Try both you may be surprised... This route you get the enchanted forest DH followed by a longer descent from top of lookout mtn down chimney which is a blast faster then apex less chunk.
[Reply]
srstudent
(Sep 15, 2020 at 20:28)
Trail Enchanted Forest
The management plan has changed and needs to be updated. This trail is downhill only, bike only on even calendar days and *no bikes uphill or downhill* on odd now.
[Reply]
provin1327
(Sep 16, 2020 at 10:16)
Trail Enchanted Forest
An updated description with details about the new management plan has been submitted and is awaiting approval.
[Reply]
trentpaulk
(Sep 4, 2019 at 11:44)
(Sep 4, 2019 at 11:44)
Trail Enchanted Forest
A blue trail with one section that’s maybe kinda black-ish. Also, what NorCalNomad said below.
[Reply]
NorCalNomad
(Aug 17, 2019 at 10:06)
Trail Enchanted Forest
Even though you CAN ride uphill on all days, this trail sucks to ride uphill on. And on even days you’re kinda blowing it for everyone who wants to go downhill.
[Reply]
Jheub
(Jun 22, 2019 at 11:47)
Trail Enchanted Forest
Pretty muddy, wet, lots of puddles. The rain last night/this morning did a number on it.
[Reply]
Trails in Route
| 4,183 ft | |||||
| 2,651 ft | |||||
| 1 mile | |||||
| 2,487 ft | |||||
| 2,375 ft | |||||
| 1,568 ft | |||||
| 5,184 ft | |||||
| 1 mile | |||||
| 184 ft | |||||
| 1 mile | |||||
| 1 mile | |||||
| 1 mile | |||||
| 381 ft | |||||
| 2 miles |
Details
More Stats for Ape' Ney - Apex to Chimney mountain bike route
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Altitude min5,706 ft
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Altitude start5,710 ft
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Altitude end5,705 ft
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Grade-0%
-
Grade max-53.7%
-
Grade min33.4%
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Distance climb8 miles
-
Distance down7 miles
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Distance flat1 mile
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youtuber
![Enchanted Forest & Magic Mountain]()
Enchanted Forest & Magic Mountain
trail: Enchanted Forest
9:20 | 83 | comments: 0 | favs:
Oct 4, 2022
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