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Dakota Ridge

Mountain bike trail conditions · Denver & Golden, CO 39.666° N  105.192° W   6,234 FT Verified

PRIME: Rideable now

No significant rain in the forecast.

Recent rain
0.1″ of rain, 3d ago
Today
72°Fpartly cloudy
  • Thu 9/10, no measurable rain, modeled conditions: PRIME
  • Fri 9/11, no measurable rain, modeled conditions: DUSTY
  • Sat 9/12, no measurable rain, modeled conditions: DUSTY
  • Sun 9/13, no measurable rain, modeled conditions: DUSTY
  • Mon 9/14, no measurable rain, modeled conditions: DUSTY
  • Tue 9/15, no measurable rain, modeled conditions: DUSTY
  • Wed 9/16, no measurable rain, modeled conditions: DUSTY
  • Thu 9/17, 0.11 inches of rain, modeled conditions: DUSTY then PRIME then CAUTION then PRIME
  • Fri 9/18, no measurable rain, modeled conditions: PRIME
  • Sat 9/19, no measurable rain, modeled conditions: PRIME
  • Today, Sun 9/20, no measurable rain, modeled conditions: PRIME
  • Mon 9/21, no measurable rain, modeled conditions: PRIME
  • Tue 9/22, no measurable rain, modeled conditions: PRIME
  • Wed 9/23, no measurable rain, modeled conditions: PRIME
  • Thu 9/24, 0.12 inches of rain, modeled conditions: PRIME, forecast preview, beyond the free window
  • Fri 9/25, no measurable rain, modeled conditions: PRIME, forecast preview, beyond the free window

Updated Sep 20, 2026, 13:50 UTC. Modeled hourly. Verdict last changed: Sep 18. Official closures and current trail conditions take priority.

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Is Dakota Ridge rideable today?

Yes. The live verdict is PRIME, rideable now. 0.1″ of rain, 3d ago.

CHANGED
Fri 1812am
Dried back to PRIME.
Thu 1711pm
Rain moved in. Verdict dropped to CAUTION.
Over the tracked history, Dakota Ridge has been rideable on 10 of the last 10 days (very dry and dusty on 7 of them). Loam also considers soil, slope, tree cover, and drying time.

Soil and terrain at Dakota Ridge

Dakota Ridge is a mountain bike trail network in Denver & Golden, CO. The soil is rocky sandy and drains fast. With little tree cover, the ground gets plenty of sun and wind. The terrain averages a 4.4° slope at 6,234 ft and mainly faces E. Its gentle slopes drain slowly, so low spots can stay soft after rain. Trails here include Basalt Cap Loop, Cretaceous Trail and Dome Flow Trail.

How these factors affect drying

SoilRocky sandy

About 40% of this ground is rock fragments, so water runs through it faster than the soil type alone suggests. It dries quicker than plain sandy. The soil type here is classified, but the exact drying speed is modeled from that classification rather than measured directly at this spot.

CanopyOpen 19%

Little tree cover means full sun and wind, so these trails are among the fastest to rebound after rain.

TerrainModerate

Terrain here drains at a moderate pace. It neither sheds nor holds water strongly.

FAQ

Can you ride Dakota Ridge right now?

The current estimate for Dakota Ridge is PRIME: rideable now. No significant rain in the forecast. 0.1″ of rain, 3d ago.

Is Dakota Ridge muddy right now?

Loam currently estimates dry conditions (PRIME). About 40% of the ground here is rock, so it drains faster than its soil type alone suggests. 0.1″ of rain, 3d ago.

What is the soil and trail surface like at Dakota Ridge?

Dakota Ridge sits on rocky sandy soil that drains fast. About 40% of this ground is rock fragments, so water runs through it faster than the soil type alone suggests. It dries quicker than plain sandy. The soil type here is classified, but the exact drying speed is modeled from that classification rather than measured directly at this spot.

How long does Dakota Ridge take to dry after rain?

Dakota Ridge drains quicker than its soil type suggests, since about 40% of the ground is rock fragments. Its terrain drains at a moderate pace.

Can you ride Dakota Ridge after rain?

The rocky soil here drains quickly, but softer sections may need more time. Wait until the surface is firm. Check the current estimate before heading out, and turn back if your tires leave ruts.

Does Dakota Ridge get snow in winter?

Yes. At 6,234 ft, Dakota Ridge typically sees winter snow and freeze-thaw that can pause riding. Loam flags a FROZEN state when the ground is snow-covered or frozen, then clears it as things thaw and dry.

What trails are at Dakota Ridge?

Trails at Dakota Ridge include Basalt Cap Loop, Cretaceous Trail, Dome Flow Trail, Serpentine Trail and Old Quarry Trail. This is a partial list. The condition estimate covers the whole network, so individual trails may differ.

What's the terrain and elevation like at Dakota Ridge?

Dakota Ridge sits at roughly 6,234 feet, faces mostly E, and averages a 4.4° grade with about 19% tree cover. It is exposed to morning sun, and the gentle terrain leaves low spots soft after storms.

When is the best time of year to ride Dakota Ridge?

Snow can limit riding at Dakota Ridge in winter, at around 6,234 feet. Spring snowmelt and fall freezes can also affect conditions. Check the current conditions before planning a ride.

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Network profile

Network profile

Soil
Rocky sandydrains fast · modeled
Drainage
Moderateeven drying
Tree cover
19%Open
Elevation
6,234 ft
Average grade
4.4°
Predominant aspect
E-facing

Named trails

  • Basalt Cap Loop
  • Cretaceous Trail
  • Dome Flow Trail
  • Serpentine Trail
  • Old Quarry Trail

This is a partial trail list. The condition estimate covers the whole network. Trail names from public agency data and © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Around Dakota Ridge