Marshall Mesa Beginner Ride route

The Boulder Mountainbike Alliance's Recommendation for Easiest Ride at Marshall Mesa.

People in Boulder often say that Marshall Mesa is the best beginner area and that is true and not so true. While it's true that there isn't an easier place to do true mountain biking on singletrack trails, it doesn't mean it is so easy that first timers or kids are going to do well. The main parking lot on the corner of Highway 93 and Marshall Road requires a rocky climb in either direction.

So here's BMA's recommendation for a true beginner ride. Don't park at in the main lot, but instead park on S 66th St. There's not a parking lot here, but you can park on the shoulder on either side of the road. The street doesn't see much traffic and not many people park here so it shouldn't be hard to find a spot.

And now for the ride - point your bike east on Mayhoffer-Singletree and start pedaling. A full out-and-back on this trail is about 5 miles so ride as long or short as you like. The trail starts with a short climb through sometimes tall grass, then opens up at the top of the mesa. Now the trail flows and meanders through prairie dog towns and cow pastures. After about a mile you will come to a gate to cross W Coal Creek Drive. The trail continues next to the creek for a bit and is still relatively narrow. At the next gate area, the Mayhoffer-Singletree trail (and this mapped ride) ends and the Meadowlark trail begins. If you are still wanting more miles, continue on. The trail widens to a crushed gravel path and climbs a moderate hill. Meadowlark continues another couple miles in much the same fashion as Mayhoffer-Singletree until you hit Coalton. Coalton is not recommended for beginners, it is a very steep, loose and rocky jeep road.