16.1 miles
Distance
3,076 ft
Climb
-3,077 ft
Descent
2 miles
High Point
-1 ft
Altitude change
6,618 ft
Altitude min
6,619 ft
Altitude start
6,617 ft
Altitude end
-54.9%
Grade max
71%
Grade min
8 miles
Distance climb
7 miles
Distance down
1 mile
Distance flat

You'll park at the four-way near the end of Stephanie's Trail and where High Drive comes out. Climb up Gold Camp Road to the end of Captain Jack's and between the first tunnel will be your first descent on Spring Creek Trail on your left.

Enjoy it because Columbine Trail heading west (right turn) will be punishing you for that quick hit. Keep following signs for the Columbine Trail through several intersections until you reach the upper Cheyenne parking lot.

Cross the road to High Drive Climb - The Easy Side and hop over the fence. A short climb of a mile and you'll descend Captain Jack's on your right through a motorized gate. *I know you can descend other trails off of Jacks, so just have fun*

From the end of Captain Jack's, head up Gold Camp Road through the tunnels until you're back at the upper Cheyenne parking lot. Go through the gate and boulders on the far side by the port-a-potties. Continue up until you reach the connector for Buckhorn (#776) Cutoff Trail on the right side, about 0.75 miles.

After this climb, which never gets any easier, you'll be at a flat four-way intersection of #776 (Buckhorn) and #667 (Jones/Jacks). To the right is the descent down Captain Jack's (this section is incorrectly and unofficially known as Buckhorn), left continues up to Jones Park #667 and straight (10 yards uphill) is the connecter to Bear Creek Trail (#666) (still technically Buckhorn #776). Look for the Forest Service brown sign to help!

This first descent of #776 is fun and mellow in the beginning. Then it becomes quite loose and fast! Mind those pedals and handlebars through some tight sections. The short descent of Buckhorn will end at Bear Creek Trail (#666) with a sharp, loose right hand switchback.

From here, it's just hold on and have fun until you reach High Drive. Then continue downhill until the green gate near the intersection where you parked!

Detailed Description
D-Loop #3 is a 16 mile popular intermediate route located near Colorado Springs Colorado. This mountain bike only route and has a hard overall physical rating. This route includes 4 trails. This route climbs 3,076 ft with a max elevation of 8,220 ft then descends -3,077 ft.

Local Trail Association

Local trail association
Medicine Wheel Trail Advocates (www.medwheel.org)
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Stats

  • Distance
    16 miles
  • Avg time
    2 hr 44 min
  • Altitude min
    6,618 ft
  • Altitude start
    6,619 ft
  • Altitude end
    6,617 ft
  • Climb
    3,076 ft
  • Descent
    -3,077 ft
  • Grade max
    -54.9%
  • Grade min
    71%
  • Distance climb
    8 miles
  • Distance down
    7 miles
  • Distance flat
    1 mile

4 Reviews & Comments


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Trails in Route

Details

  • Riding area
  • Primary Activity
    Mountain Bike
  • Difficulty rating
    Blue
  • Route Type
    Loop
  • Bike type
    XC
  • Physical rating
    Hard
Avg: 5 (1 votes)
close
Trail transparency
  • Singletrack
mtb
264
mtb
208
mtb
7
mtb
6
Danny's trail and 666 Trail Review Ep.5
mtb
Danny's trail and 666 Trail Review Ep.5
13:00 | 518 | comments: 0 | favs:
Aug 22, 2021
R.I.P.666
mtb
R.I.P.666
9:08 | 426 | comments: 4 | favs: 2
Aug 16, 2017
Most of the good sections of this trail were destroyed by the forest service and Trout Unlimited because they hate mountain bikers.

Recent Trail Reports Along Route

statustraildateconditiondescription
Spring Creek
May 15, 2026 @ 9:42am (America/Denver)
May 15, 2026
Buckhorn Cutoff
Jan 4, 2026 @ 10:03am (America/Denver)
Jan 4, 2026
Bear Creek (666)
Aug 24, 2025 @ 7:50am
Aug 24, 2025
776
Aug 24, 2025 @ 7:50am
Aug 24, 2025
more reports »
  • By dashraces & contributors
  • #50118 - 1,142 views

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