Oil Wells Flats

Near Canyon City     |     13.2 Miles     |     Moderate

Start at the lower trailhead and jump immediately into Tectonic Shift which offers fun flowy cross-country type singletrack with some small rock challenges to keep you on your toes. Take a right following the signs for Tectonic Shift and keep the fun going until you pop out onto a dirt road intersection. Across the road you’ll see Tectonic Shift continue. Follow this to the informal Fire Canyon Trailhead.

At the trailhead follow the signs for Unconformity/Fire Canyon and start to climb up some more great singletrack that is a little tougher with more obstacles than the lower trails. Keep left on Unconformity, passing the sign for Fire Canyon and Anticline. You’ll eventually come into the burn area where the trail meanders through some amazing rock outcrops with some tough switchbacks.

Soon enough you’ll hit another dirt road. Take a right on this road and follow it right through the next “Y”. Soon you’ll see a trail taking off on your left which is the beginning of Island in the Sky. Keep left at the next intersection (right is the top of Fire Canyon). Enjoy another mile of great singletrack that begins to wind through Ponderosa trees and oak where it will eventually dump you out onto another intersection with a dirt road.

Keep going straight and follow the singletrack on your left where it eventually crests out onto a ridge with some amazing views of Canon City. Keep following the trail where you’ll find yourself on the rim of a 200′ cliff offering one of the most amazing views in the Canon City area.

Enjoy the view for a bit, take a breather, and then keep heading north on the rocky somewhat technical rim trail. Soon you’ll see an obvious trail coming in on your left that dives steeply downhill. If you want another great view/overlook head straight to the end of the trail and take in another amazing vista with drop offs on three sides and some interesting geologic features. Some swear you can see bigfoot’s toe in the ancient rock formation.

Back track to the steep downhill trail and enjoy the cruising fun downhill. At the bottom of the canyon you’ll hit Fire Canyon Trail. If you want a longer ride and more fun downhill, turn right and climb up Fire Canyon back to Island in the Sky and then turn left, back tracking your way down Unconformity. If you’ve had enough climbing, turn left and head down Fire Canyon. The re-routes of this trail have turned it into a super fun descent and also a great climb if you want a direct line to Island in the Sky.

You’ll hit the intersection with Anticline. Take a right to get back to Unconformity and the Fire Canyon Trailhead or turn left on Anticline to experience a fun flowing trail with some great alternate lines which are described here. Taking the left you’ll quickly hit another dirt road. Turn left and follow the road until you see Anticline pick back up on your right. Rip down this latest addition to the trail network, take a quick left on the two track road and you’ll quickly see the trail pick back up on your right. You’ll eventually tie back in with Tectonic Shift where you’ll take a left heading back to the trailhead where you started. Drop the tailgate and enjoy a beverage before packing up. Head back into town and get some grub at one of the local eating establishments and let them know you are enjoying the great trails the area is developing.