Second Gulch – Pipeline – Third Gulch Ride
Difficulty: Moderate
Accessibility: Bike, Hike, Horse
Trail Length: 10.38 miles
Elevation Gain: 2009 ft.
Elevation Loss: 1972 ft.
Trail time: 2:00
Highlights: A steep climb from Second Gulch to Hardscrabble Road, Creek, Aspen Grove
Second Gulch offers the shortest route that includes Pipeline. However, cutting out most of Hardscrabble Road means steeper climbs over a shorter distance in order to get up to Hardscrabble Road. The ride up Second Gulch is fairly gradual until the final climb out. The hardest climb on this ride is between Second Gulch and Hardscrabble Road on the connector. A bike walk may be inevitable towards the top. The ride on Hardscrabble is very mild, but be sure to keep an eye out for the turn off onto Pipeline. The trail can be difficult to spot, but there is a sign. The ride down Pipeline is fairly technical with some rocks and creek crossings, the first of which offers a bridge. The second creek crossing may be deep depending on the season. After turning onto Third Gulch the ride is all downhill on double track, right to the Arroyo Parking area.
