Local hikers and bikers get good news as the Colorado Mountain Bike Association reopened 14 miles of Trek Trails at Virginia Canyon Mountain trails adjacent to the Argo Mill and Tunnel in Idaho Springs.
“We’re stoked to announce the hotly anticipated reopening of our latest trail system,” Association Executive Director Gary Moore said. “Between the Mighty Argo construction and our trail work, there’s been a ton of activity happening in the area, with trail crews, volunteers, and contractors working daily. Thanks for your patience!”
The bike and hike trails are expected to double the rideable terrain, from the current 14 miles open to 28 miles when the vision is complete, according to Moore.
“Yeah, we’re super excited about the trail system itself, we’re about half built-out,” Moore said, adding that 17 trails are now open to the public.
Skill levels for the mountain trails will be color-coded, much like ski runs, starting with a Blue course up to Double Black trails reserved for the expert riders.
The park covers 400 acres and is located just north of Idaho Springs, above the iconic Argo Mill. Its terrain is steep and rugged, providing great opportunities for challenging rides and hikes, according to COMBA’s website.
The re-opened trails are expected to draw thousands of bike enthusiasts; a consistent concern for local residents has been the availability of parking for the influx of vehicles.
All parking options are still south of the creek, with Colorado Blvd. offering up the best locations. Riverside Drive is now closed to vehicle traffic. For the most accurate and up-to-date parking map, check www.parkidahosprings.com.
For the next couple of weeks, riders will access the trails from the west side of the Argo property. Please be mindful that Argo tours may be occurring and be respectful of any other users in the area.