Waldrop/Snowshoe Loop route

This is a winter-only fatbike loop (the Snowshoe trail does not exist in the summer). Most people prefer to ride it counter-clockwise to skip the steeper climbing sections on Snowshoe going towards the lake.

Start at the Brainard winter parking lot and hop on Waldrop. This trail mostly climbs towards Brainard lake but has a few fun downhill sections too. When you get to South St Vrain, turn left. At the next junction, make a left again on Brainard Cut-off trail. While in theory you could stay on South St Vrain to the lake, this section of trail gets very little traffic and is rarely packed enough for bikes.

At the lake, turn left again on the road and cross the bridge. Just after the bridge you'll find the Snowshoe trail. The entrance is usually very drifted, you'll need to go up 100 ft to really see how packed and rideable it is. The next section is usually pretty good, but then gets drifty and deep by the campground. Find the trail at the east of the campground, then you have a great downhill section. Next, you'll hit Brainard Lake road. Turn left, follow the road a tiny bit, then look for the trail to continue on the right. This section of Snowshoe is more rolling, there are a few punchy climbs and some pretty steep descents.

The trail ends on Brainard Lake Road, either follow the road back to the parking lot, or hop on Sourdough (south) to get back to Waldrop and the lot.