Riders on this section of the Colorado Trail will need some reserve strength from last week's ride.

Numerous switchbacks highlight this 3.7-mile climb, with several false summits teasing on the way to gaining more than 1,400 feet. More dramatic views of damage from the 1996 fires are worth stopping for.

The ensuing descent will keep a rider's attention as much of the single track is shared with motorcycles and is badly eroded. Small iron fences denote boundaries, and walking some sections may be prudent.

After crossing Bear Creek, another climb awaits, but this one is less than a mile and very manageable. It's also the last climb before more fun single-track descending leads to a service road and an easy cruise down the canyon lot.

IF YOU GO

Bicycle: Mountain bike

Location: Northeast of the Buffalo Creek Mountain Bike Area, which is southeast of Pine Junction.

Surface: Wide and narrow single track with badly eroded sections, and dirt road.

Distance: Parts 1 and 2 total 28.8 miles.

Difficulty: Advanced with some moderate sections

Ride time: Two to three hours

To reach Buffalo Creek: From the light at Highway 285 in Pine Junction, take Highway 126 13.7 miles past Pine to a signed parking lot on the west side of the highway.

OTHER RIDES

-Buffalo Creek to Waterton Canyon — Part 1: Described last week, this route lends dramatic views of the burned forest from 1996 fires, which caused the closure of the Top of the World Campground and several trails in the area. Miraculously, there's much new ground vegetation that's lush, colorful and reassuring to see. From the described parking area off of Highway 136, take the first right and continue northwest to cross 126 and two dirt roads. Cross Forest Road 538 at 5.6 miles to begin a more technical descent with loose dirt, rutted gulleys and switchbacks. Part 1 ends at County Road 97 where a bridge crosses over the South Platte River at 11.4 miles. A good out-and-back option is to ride Forest Road 538 at 5.6 miles and go left to the trail to Chair Rocks. This ride is about 13 miles total.

-Pine Valley Ranch/Colorado Trail west: Recent fires have closed trails in the Pine Valley Ranch Open Space. There are no additional road or trail closures in the Buffalo Creek area other than those closed because of the 1996 fires. The Colorado Trail continues to be open from the described parking lot at Highway 126 going west to the Lost Creek Wilderness Area. For more information, call the South Platte Ranger District at (303) 275-5610.

E-mail Ted Crawford at tcrawford@dslbroadband.com. His column is also available online at RockyMountainNews.com.