Golden Spike Ride Report

Bob Stanton and Dave Barnum - on a fixie and single-speed respectively - completed an out-and-back on the Golden Spike trail on July 19. Bob confirms that this ride is truly an epic.

Length: 36 miles roundtrip from gate-to-gate. 16 miles from Stella gate to Monahan Creek
Ascent: 6,000 feet with a max elevation of a little more than 2,000 feet.
Ride Time: Bob spent 7 hours on his bike and was out for 8:15 total, which means that normal people should expect a much longer ride.
Ride Route: Although there are cairns in places, the route hits the road in places and dips back onto trail. It can be very difficult to find without a guide.
Conditions: Things are good from the Stella end to the 2200 Road and also on the Growlers side for a ways south from the Monahan Creek. In between, the trail is faint in places.
Recommendations: If you plan it as a one-way ride, start from the Harmony side. If you do it as a roundtrip, start from Growlers.
Comments from Bob: “Only advanced and strong riders should attempt this ride. It doesn’t take long before you are well removed from any help should something go wrong. Both Dave and I drank all 100 ounces of water we had with us (I had an extra water bottle, too) and we ran out of water 5 road miles from the Harmony gate.”