Best Bang for the Buck route

This eight mile route gets you to not one, but TWO, bike optimized downhill trails

From the Hidden Treasure Trailhead, start off on the Historic Gilpin Tramway then take your first right onto Millsite Trail. This 2 mile singletrack through the pines is one of the nicest ways to climb nearly 700 ft. If the altitude is hurting you, there's a great overlook at 1.6 miles in to catch your breath. The top of Millsite hooks up with Easy Money. Take the left fork on Easy Money to continue the climb, then cross the service road and keep going. At the intersection with Claim Jumper, take a right and head down the first bike optimized trail of the ride. Built with bikes in mind, this trail is multi-use and bidirectional but is most fun ridden downhill with a couple of challenging alternate lines that make the intermediate experience just a little more interesting.

At the bottom, take a right on Paymaster. Keep your speed through the gully and if you want to hit the "bush jump." When you come back to Easy Money, take a right and start climbing again. You'll soon come to where you came into Easy Money the last time, follow the same track but this time skip Claim Jumper and take the left to stay on Easy Money. You'll have the option of 2 addition switchbacks if you want to see the summit of Maryland Mountain, otherwise take the left onto Hard Money.

Now here are the goods. Hang onto your saddle for 2 miles of you-won't-stop-grinning downhill fun. At the bottom, take a left on Historic Gilpin Tramway for another lap or to get back to the trailhead.