3.8 hr
Overview
New for 2020, the Novice course provides a great opportunity for beginning riders to dip their toe into racing. Kids are encouraged to ride this route.<br><br>Beginning as the other courses do, the Novice route soon departs with a gradual climb up West Garden Gulch Trail. The transition to East Garden Gulch Trail includes a small drop into a rocky creek crossing. <br><br>After a short climb, begins the thrilling descent to Howe Ditch Trail. It will be along Howe Ditch Trail that racers will have to pay attention to oncoming traffic. The next challenge for the beginning rider will be the climb up Jackass Ridge Spur to the sun exposed Jackass Ridge Trail. <br><br>Back on Howe Ditch Trail the racer passes the halfway point and begins the return to the finish line. There will be another crossing of Garden Gulch, but this time at lower end, which is more flat and open. After the crossing, it won't be long until the race down the stick of the McKenzie Gulch Trail lollipop and across the finish line.
Trail Stats
13.5 km
235 m
780 m
645 m
—
Photos
Trail Post Marker 2, looking northeast
Trail Post Marker 2, looking northeast
Garden Gulch Trail
Garden Gulch Trail
Panoramic picture. The left side is looking north; right side is looking east.
Panoramic picture. The left side is looking north; right side is looking east.