Near Cripple Creek     |     10 Miles     |     Easy     |     9,333 Feet Shelf Road dates back to 1892, a time when a route was needed from the Arkansas Valley to the Cripple Creek Mining District. It was cut into the side of a sheer canyon wall on the Southern end, which is the reason for its […]

This trail has a couple forks that offer multiple route options–up to three separate out-and-back’s are possible on one ride. The trail climbs sharply on gravelly singletrack. At 0.8 miles, a fork left goes through Horsethief Park, a pleasant subalpine meadow flanked by pines on one side and aspens on the other. For Pancake Rocks, continue straight. At one mile, take the right turn for Pancake Rocks. Straight is a nice side trip, especially on the return, a mere half mile to the lovely Horsethief Falls. Once you make the right turn, get ready to push–the trail climbs 600′ in under a half mile up an eroded washout before relenting only slightly up some still brutal switchbacks. As the trail tops out after about two miles, look for a small opening on the right–this is the path to the Pancake Rocks, a cool rock formation with a fantastic million-mile view beyond. You can continue on straight on the main trail for another half mile or so for some great forest cruising after which the trail will plummet downhill, ultimately ending at private property.