I take off on a beautiful afternoon to do a little exploring on the mountain bike, leaving from home and taking the Poudre River bike trail and back roads to Lory State Park. There I spot another mountain biker, and take the trail he disappears on. When it forks, of course I take the uphill fork, the Timber Ridge Trail. There is no sign forbidding bikes here as there are on other trails in the park, so I follow the gentle switchbacks to gradually more technical climbing until I reach the West Ridge trail. There I see a map that clearly designates Timber Ridge Trail as foot-only. Too bad, it’s a good ride. There are no bike trails down, so I take the Arthur’s Rock trail to complete a loop, walking much of it. This trail is a little more popular, I pass a dozen people compared to two on Timber Ridge. At the trailhead I’m able to complete the trail loop on bike-sanctioned West Valley Trail, then I ride back home the way I came.

The West Ridge Trail is an old jeep trail ideal for mountain biking, and I suspect there are more of these west of the park. Maybe I’ll be able to find my way there on a future mission.