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Boulder, CO: Sunshine Canyon Loop
Cramming 6,000-feet of climbing into 42 miles, this loop kicks off with a stiff climb from Boulder proper up to the quirky mountain berg of Gold Hill.
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| Author: | Bicycling Magazine |
| Activity: | Bicycling |
| State: | Colorado (CO) |
| Distance: | 42.02 mi |
| Difficulty: | 9 / 10 |
| Rating: | Unrated |
One of Boulder's most scenic roads, Sunshine Canyon is also one of its least ridden for several reasons. First, it starts right from town with little (if any) warm-up. Second; it's damn hard (gaining over 3,000 feet in its first 9 miles). Third, most of it isn't even paved.
After the first 5.7 miles of climbing up Sunshine Canyon, the road turns to hard-pack and wash-board dirt for the remaining 3.8 miles to Gold Hill. The climbing gets tough here, but the views of Indian Peaks right from the road are unparalled on any of Boulder's other canyon roads. Take a breather at the town's general store, and then continue west on Gold Hill Road headed towards the Peak-to-Peak Highway. The dirt road continues undulating upwards and a few of its steeper stretches also happen to be strewn with loose gravel.
Back on pavement on Peak-to-Peak, turn north to ride along the generous road shoulder up a few more hundred feet to Ward (Note: this stretch can be windy and exposed). Refuel in Ward at the Utica Street Market (a popular cyclist destination), and then descend Left Hand Canyon back to Boulder.
-Mapped by Kim Phillips and Mark Harrison
TO TRAILHEAD: This ride departs from the corner of 4th St. and Mapleton Ave. in Boulder.
| Position Format: | Datum: |
Tracks
Sunshine Canyon Loop
| Distance: 42.02 mi | Points: 942 |
| # | Distance | Instruction | Distance to next |
| 1 | 0.17 mi | Continue on Sunshine Canyon Dr | Then go 9.05 mi |
| 2 | 9.22 mi | Continue on Horsfall St | Then go 0.27 mi |
| 3 | 9.48 mi | Continue on Main St | Then go 0.28 mi |
| 4 | 9.76 mi | Slight right at Gold Hill Rd | Then go 4.38 mi |
| 5 | 14.15 mi | Turn left to stay on Gold Hill Rd | Then go 2.24 mi |
| 6 | 16.39 mi | Turn right at CO-72/Peak To Peak Hwy | Then go 3.40 mi |
| 7 | 19.79 mi | Turn right at Utica St | Then go 0.25 mi |
| 8 | 20.04 mi | Turn left to stay on Utica St | Then go 1.55 mi |
| 9 | 21.60 mi | Continue on Lefthand Canyon Dr | Then go 9.90 mi |
| 10 | 31.49 mi | Turn right to stay on Lefthand Canyon Dr | Then go 2.71 mi |
| 11 | 34.20 mi | Turn right at Olde Stage Rd | Then go 3.11 mi |
| 12 | 37.31 mi | Slight right at Lee Hill Dr | Then go 0.82 mi |
| 13 | 38.12 mi | Continue on Lee Hill Rd | Then go 0.48 mi |
| 14 | 38.60 mi | Turn right at Broadway St/CO-7 | Then go 1.07 mi |
| 15 | 39.67 mi | Turn right at Poplar Ave | Then go 0.26 mi |
| 16 | 39.93 mi | Turn left at Wonderland Hill Ave | Then go 0.65 mi |
| 17 | 40.58 mi | Turn Right - Linden Ave. | Then go 0.03 mi |
| 18 | 40.61 mi | Turn Left - Bike Path | Then go 0.14 mi |
| 19 | 40.74 mi | Straight - 4th Street |
Points of Interest
Mapleton Memorial Hospital
Location: 40.020516, -105.292497© Kim Phillips
Rock Outcrops in Sunshine Canyon
Location: 40.020672, -105.295329© Kim Phillips
Sunshine Canyon Drive
Location: 40.032337, -105.323327© Kim Phillips
Climbing Sunshine Canyon
Location: 40.036783, -105.327032© Kim Phillips
Indian Peak Views
Location: 40.048347, -105.343587© Kim Phillips
Pavement Ends
Location: 40.056141, -105.362642© Kim Phillips
Dirt Road
Location: 40.056469, -105.363135© Kim Phillips
Views from Sunshine Canyon Drive
Location: 40.056560, -105.363275© Kim Phillips
Overlook on Sunshine Canyon Drive
Location: 40.071616, -105.387541© Kim Phillips
Descending Sunshine Canyon Road
Location: 40.071608, -105.387565© Kim Phillips
Views of Indian Peaks
Location: 40.071600, -105.387586© Kim Phillips
Views of Indian Peaks
Location: 40.071025, -105.388665© Kim Phillips
Gold Hill, Colorado
Location: 40.063991, -105.407488© Kim Phillips
The Red Store
Location: 40.063392, -105.408277© Kim Phillips
Gold Hill Store
Location: 40.063326, -105.409988© Kim Phillips
Gold Hill Road
Location: 40.058348, -105.428117© Kim Phillips
Steep Climb on Gold Hill Road
Location: 40.042345, -105.503430© Kim Phillips
Descent to Peak To Peak
Location: 40.042778, -105.511837© Kim Phillips
Descent to Peak To Peak
Location: 40.042737, -105.511923© Kim Phillips
Peak To Peak Highway
Location: 40.045686, -105.516365© Kim Phillips
Utica Street Market
Location: 40.073375, -105.506623© Kim Phillips
Ward, Colorado
Location: 40.073281, -105.506709© Kim Phillips
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