more stats
1.8 miles
Distance
104 ft
Climb
-423 ft
Descent
00:16:42
Avg time
-318 ft
Altitude change
8,384 ft
Altitude min
8,778 ft
Altitude max
8,702 ft
Altitude start
8,386 ft
Altitude end
-3.4%
Grade
-29.4%
Grade max
16.9%
Grade min
2,444 ft
Distance climb
1 mile
Distance down
1,207 ft
Distance flat
00:16:42
Avg time

Paymaster Trail Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • E-Bike
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
  • Riding Area
    Maryland Mountain Quartz Valley Park
    Black Hawk, Colorado
  • Difficulty Rating
    Blue Rate
  • Voted Difficulty
    Black Diamond (1 vote)
  • Local Popularity
    45 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 35 in E-Biking
    • 55 in Trail Running
    • 35 in Hiking
  • Global Ranking
    #58083 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #22722 in E-Biking
    • #116497 in Trail Running
    • #114832 in Hiking
  • Hiking SAC Scale
    T1 Hiking
  • Blaze Color
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Direction
    Downhill Primary
    Popular Direction Shown
  • Climb Difficulty
    Blue
  • Physical Rating
    Moderate
  • Trail Visibility
    Always easy to follow
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • eBike Allowed
    Yes up to Class 1
  • Year Opened
    2020
  • Land Owner
    City of Black Hawk

Paymaster is best ridden as a downhill extension to lengthen your run down Claim Jumper. Once you reach the Historic Gilpin Tramway trail hang a right and continue on to Easy Money to recycle back up to the top of Maryland Mountain.

You may be tempting to climb Paymaster given its proximity to the Hidden Treasure Parking Lot, however it becomes very inefficient due to several steep punchy sections on loose southern exposed terrain. Stick to Easy Money as your most efficient climbing option.

Trail Supporters
Local Trail Association
Traditionally Indigenous Territory

Recent Activity on Trail

Past Week
  • 5 rides
  • 14 miles average
6 Months
  • 70 rides
  • 13 miles avg distance
All
  • 284 rides
  • Last: Sep 17, 2026
c1c2c3c4
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Status:
on Jul 19, 2026
Very Dry
Avg: 3.14 (8 votes)
Your vote: 0

view (1,499)
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      Directions to paymaster-trail trailhead (39.813330, -105.514860)
      View on Discover Map

      Photos

      7 more »
      mtb
      91 |
      Jun 17, 2024 @ 9:58am
      Jun 17, 2024
      mtb
      127 |
      Dec 29, 2022 @ 3:50am
      Dec 29, 2022
      mtb
      178 |
      Jul 30, 2021 @ 2:40pm
      Jul 30, 2021
      mtb
      263 |
      Jun 6, 2021 @ 6:57am
      Jun 6, 2021

      Videos

      2 more »
      Paymaster - loose, scenic blue flow - fall...
      mtb
      15:37 | 170 | Sep 22, 2024 , Black Hawk
      Gap jump on Paymaster Trail at Maryland...
      mtb
      0:10 | 700 | May 26, 2021 , Black Hawk

      Routes with this trail

      36
      Fast Money/Paymaster Loop Featured
      8 miles • 1,167 ft • 5 • Loop •
      This intermediate level ride is a great way to check out Fast Money. You'll start at the Hidden Treasure...
      81
      The Whole Casino Featured
      16 miles • 2,672 ft • 10 • Loop •
      There are lots of ways to ride Maryland Mountain but here's a route to get you started and hit most of the...
      37
      evo Trailgate Maryland Mountain Women's Route 2024
      8 miles • 1,143 ft • 6 • Loop •
      evo Trailgate Maryland Mountain Women's Route 2024 Start on the . Take that to and then make the right...
      2.4 ★★★★★
      9 Ratings
      5 ★
      4 ★ 33%
      3 ★
      2 ★ 33%
      1 ★ 33%

      3 Reviews & Comments

      bocomtb
      Nice view and not much else. Like others have noted, some switchbacks are much more difficult than one would expect for a blue in this area. I will probably ride this once a year when I feel like doing endo turns.

      If you are riding Claimjumper (and you should), you will almost certainly have a better time climbing a short way up Easy Money and taking Millsite back to the lot.
      bikebaroness
      Be aware that this trail has some tight, technical sections with a lot of exposure. One might even argue that the descent borders on black.
      izIMfdf
      Beginner/intermediate perspective. I rate it 2/5. The beginning of the downhill is super tight and steep switchbacks that are more difficult and intimidating than any on Millsite or Fast Money; didn't find that section fun at all. It gets a little better towards the bottom but I would skip this one and ride down any of the other blue trails at Maryland Mountain.

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      Nearby Trails

      Maryland Mountain Quartz Valley Park

      • By toddTF Pro Trailforks & contributors
      • #376790 - 2,564 views

      Frequently Asked Questions

      ▼ Where is Paymaster Trail located?
      Paymaster Trail is located in Maryland Mountain Quartz Valley Park, Black Hawk, Colorado, United States. It is part of the Maryland Mountain Quartz Valley Park trail network. The trailhead is located at coordinates 39.81333, -105.51486.
      ▼ How hard is Paymaster Trail?
      Paymaster Trail is rated as Blue difficulty. The physical rating is Moderate. The average grade is 3.4%. The climb difficulty is rated Blue.
      ▼ What is the elevation gain for Paymaster Trail?
      Paymaster Trail has 104 ft of elevation gain. The trail has 423 ft of elevation descent. The elevation ranges from 8,384 ft to 8,778 ft.
      ▼ Is Paymaster Trail a point to point trail?
      Paymaster Trail is not a point to point trail. The direction is Downhill Primary. The trail type is singletrack.
      ▼ How long is Paymaster Trail?
      Paymaster Trail is 1.8 miles long. The trail type is singletrack.
      ▼ Are dogs allowed on Paymaster Trail?
      Yes, dogs are allowed on Paymaster Trail. Please keep dogs on a leash where required and clean up after them.
      ▼ How do I access Paymaster Trail? Where is the closest parking trailhead?
      The closest parking and trailhead locations to Paymaster Trail are: View all parking locations in the area.
      ▼ How long does it take to ride Paymaster Trail?
      Based on recorded activities, it takes an average of 20 minutes to ride Paymaster Trail. The trail is 1.8 miles long. Actual times will vary based on fitness level, conditions, and pace. View recent activity logs for more details.
      ▼ How busy is Paymaster Trail?
      Paymaster Trail is a moderately popular trail. There have been 1,431 recorded activities on this trail. The trail has received 1,499 check-ins. View recent activity on this trail.

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