LaGrange Classic Mountain Bike Race - Intermediate Course

Overview

Here is one local's play-by-play description of the LaGrange Classic short course. At 2,125 feet, the start and finish are on Weaver Bally Road, a Forest Service road that is open year round. After only 0.1 miles (up to 6% grade), the singletrack begins. <br><br>At one mile from the start is Garden Gulch Creek. Although seasonal, expect some water in June in this rocky creek. There is no bridge, but there is a bunch of river rock. Fortunately the creek bed can be ridden across. This creek will be crossed a second time on the way back to the finish line. <br><br>Since the start of the race, the course is sun exposed, traversing a burn scar. At mile 1.5, the 2014 wildfire hit a previously burned area and stopped. Did you notice the informational kiosk that you passed? Now the first climb is set to begin as you enter the 10 Cent Gulch area and the oaks. Awww, shade.<br><br>With grades up to 15%, 10 Cent Gulch climbs up to Howe Ditch, 2.3 miles from the start. No, you are not imagining it; the oaks really are arching over the trail from both sides. <br><br>Now that you are on Howe Ditch, it's easy street. The hydraulic gold miners needed water. To get that water, they built miles of ditches. Howe Ditch is one of many moving water to the mines. There is no longer any water in this ditch. Just a gentle climb as you go, what would have been upstream to Jackass Ridge. <br><br>Once on Jackass Ridge at mile 3.4, it will just be 100 feet on this closed road to the Upper Howe Ditch and back to singletrack. For the next 1.6 miles, watch out for trees and rocks that will want to clip a part of your bike. Obscure even by local standards, Upper Howe Ditch will be among the most technical riding of the course with very few passing opportunities. Also along this section will be the transition from oaks to conifers. <br><br>Upper Howe Ditch ends at mile five, dumping the rider onto the East Weaver Creek Trail. East Weaver Creek Trail is one of the longer trails in the Weaver Basin. The course traverses various sections of this tra

Trail Stats

Photos

Trail sign at East Weaver Campground

Trail sign at East Weaver Campground

Trail Post Marker 2, looking northeast

Trail Post Marker 2, looking northeast

Garden Gulch Trail

Garden Gulch Trail

Fall is Coming.

Fall is Coming.

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