South Saint Vrain - Figure 8 route

Little Raven is closed to bike November 15-April 30.

This route is a true physical and technical test piece. Expect long, consistent rock gardens and baby heads on the climb and on the descent. Bring your technical riding A game as this trail does not give up for a second. Beware it will fee like the route is a never ending uphill and that somehow you are going to be climbing both ways. Stay persistent and you will be rewarded soon enough.

It's easiest to park your car at the bottom of South St Vrain trail. You'll have a couple mile ride up Beaver Res road to access Sourdough (North) on the left. Enjoy the warmup because this ride never gets easy! Keep climbing up Sourdough (North) all the way to the Brainard winter parking lot. Cross the road, then climb Lefthand Park Resevoir Road. You'll pass Little Raven Extension on the left first, don't take it, keep going up! Finally you'll get to Little Raven on the right. This trail is about 2 miles long and ends at Brainard Lake. Take a left on Brainard Lake road and follow the road around the lake. You'll come to Brainard Lake Cutoff trail on the right just after you cross the bridge. Take Brainard Lake Cutoff to South St Vrain. The true descending starts once you reconnect with South St Vrain (909). Get ready to rip all the way back down to the trailhead. This part of the route will keep you on your toes, seriously. Expect large boulders, baby heads and basketball sized rocks that are ready to eat you and your wheels. Flow can be found but you need to work for it.

Bring PLENTY of water and snacks, you're going to need it.