Dinosaur Ridge, an impressive landmark located between Morrison Road and C-470, can be seen along C-470 as you drive south from Interstate 70. The highlight of this route is the one-mile climb up Dinosaur Ridge, which is closed to cars but open to cyclists and pedestrians.
We extended our Morrison Loop by continuing north until we crossed over on W Alameda Avenue, then ascended the ridge and descended back down. We suggest taking a break at the top of the ridge, which offers stunning views of Red Rocks. One of my favorite descents is from the Dinosaur Ridge outpost down into Morrison. Although the shoulder is narrow, the pavement is excellent and drivers are respectful of cyclists. From there, it follows our standard Morrison Loop back to Sterling Ranch and southwest Littleton.
Good to Know
Distance: 52 mile loop
Trails: ~10 miles on the C-470 paved trail and the rest on the road
Elevation Gain: 2,832 ft
Terrain: Pavement
Parking: Available at the Sterling Center
Facilities: Available at the Sterling Center
Fun Fact: If you prefer exploring on two feet, check the Dakota Ridge Trail, where you get to walk along the ridge! It’s pretty cool and I recommend that hike!
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