As an option to the popular and often crowded trails in Buffalo Creek, consider similar routes in the adjoining 770-acre Pine Valley Ranch.

From the bottom parking lot, go west past the restrooms to pick up the trail as it parallels the river. Cross the bridge and follow the signs to Buck Gulch Trail.

It is a steady, often steep climb for the next three miles over a hard-packed surface dusted with loose granite rock.

At 3.2 miles go left onto Skipper Trail. Descend to the creek and up again to a hard left onto Strawberry Jack Trail just after an oblique junction at 4.6 miles.

Strawberry Jack trail descends through lush meadows to a junction at 6.7 miles leading back to the parking lot.

IF YOU GO

Bicycle: Mountain bike

Location: Southwest of Denver in Jefferson County near Pine

Surface: Hard-packed single and double track dusted with loose rock

Distance: 7.6 miles

Difficulty: Intermediate to advanced

Ride time: 2 to 3 hours

To reach Pine Valley Ranch: Take U.S. 285 south to Pine Junction. Following signs at a traffic light, turn left on Highway 126 and go 5.8 miles to the parking lot.

OTHER RIDES

• Buffalo Creek: At the junction with Skipper Trail at 3.2 miles, access to the northern portion of the Buffalo Creek Mountain Bike Area is available at FR 552. From here, a network of fire roads and trails leads south toward Buffalo Creek Campground. Options include traversing the hillside on the easier Miller Gulch Trail and intermediate Sandy Wash Trail. Or take FR 543 toward Wellington Lake, where other options are available, including the popular and often crowded Colorado Trail. Some trails are closed in this area due to fires in recent years.

• Chair Rocks: This route lends dramatic views of the burned forest from fires in 1996 that caused the closure of the Top of the World Campground. There is new ground vegetation that is lush, colorful and reassuring to see. Start at a signed parking area off Highway 126, eight miles past Pine Valley Ranch. Take the first right and continue northwest to cross 126 and two other dirt roads. At 5.6 miles, follow signs and turn left on FR 538 to climb about a mile to Chair Rocks. Or cross 538 to begin a more technical descent with loose dirt, rutted gullys and switchbacks to County Road 97 at 11.4 miles.

For comments and trail suggestions, fax Ted Crawford at (303) 892-5001.