| About Arapaho National Forest |
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| Tipperary Creek Loop Mountain Bike Trail |
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Length:
17 Miles
High Point:
10,000 Feet
Difficulty:
Most Difficult
Average Time:
2 1/2 - 4 Hours
Beginning Elevation:
8,574 Feet
Reservation:
No
Season:
Summer - Fall
From Fraser, Ride west at the traffic light on Elk Creek Road.
Location Information
Notes: This loop is designated for mountain biking. It offers many bail out points for shorter loops. It is one of the most popular rides in the Fraser Valley, offering a variety of terrain, from paved and dirt roads to single and double-track trails. In Fraser, head west at the traffic light on Elk Creek Road, which runs behind the Safeway Center. Go about 1/4 mile, turn right after passing under the railroad tracks. Follow this road around to County Road 73. Cross County Road 73 and look for the entrance to the Givelo Trail which runs parallel to the road. Turn left and follow the Givelo Trail as it climbs gradually along side the road for about 2 miles. Look for the Northwest Passage Trail on your right, just before the cattle guard and the Fraser Experimental Forest sign on the road. Turn right. Follow the Northwest Passage Trail until you reach the softball fields. Follow the access road along side the fields to County Road 50. Turn left and ride approximately 3 miles to the Tipperary Creek trailhead (just past the second cattle guard). Turn left and begin the climb up the Tipperary Creek Trail. Pace yourself, it's a long and steady climb. You'll encounter the first of two stream crossings in about 1/2 mile. Cross the creek and proceed uphill. The second crossing is about 1 1/2 miles further. The trail begins to level out for a short distance before reaching the top of Morse Pass. The downhill section is fast and furious. Be alert for uphill traffic. At the bottom of the pass is St. Louis Creek Road. Turn right, then immediately turn left onto County Road 159. Cross over the creek and continue up the road 1/2 mile to the Flume Trail on your left. Follow this route through lodgepole pine forests and rolling meadows. Be sure to notice the remains of the old water flume that loggers used to transport wood to Fraser in the early 1900's. Take time to stop and enjoy the view of Byers Peak from the lookout point complete with a bench for relaxing. About 1/4 mile past the lookout point, a trail leads off to the left and over a bridge. This can be used as a bailout to St. Louis Creek Campground, then back to Fraser on County Road 73. To continue with the loop, go straight past the turnoff. The trail now becomes Chainsaw Trail. Follow the trail around a pond (great for moose watching) and prepare for a tough climb. At the thinned-out timber, make a right turn on the double-track trail. This trail intersects with the Zoom Trail, but stay left and follow Chainsaw out to Elk Creek Road. Turn left and follow the road back into Fraser. If you'd like to continue further, turn right instead of left on Elk Creek Road. Continue up the road for about 200 yards. Elk Meadow Trail is on your left.
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