King of the Rockies
(formerly the Tippeary Race Course)

The King of the Rockies race course is commonly called Tipperary by locals. This stems back to the original race of the same name. If you haven’t ridden the Tipperary course you really need to. Challenging climbs, high speed descents and great singletrack let you forget you are racing simply because you are having too much fun.

The course begins on County Road 50 just east of Northwest Passage at the old softball fields. From here you head west for a few miles, don’t let the smooth gravel road lull you to sleep. Just past the cattle guard you turn left and begin the Tipperary Creek climb. Smooth singletrack on an old roadbed take you through aspens, pine and open meadows. This climb will work you a bit. If you are gauging yourself against the racers the top pros will crest the top in under 30 minutes from the start!! Anything less than 32 is really moving along.

At the top prepare yourself for one of the best descents in the valley. High speed with enough loose rock to keep you awake. If you are going to flat this is the place. Be sure to watch out for riders heading up at this point.

At the bottom of the descent you turn right on St. Louis Creek road then immediate left on the Water Board road, cross the creek then head down the Flume trail. Flume as most of us know is slightly downhill twisty singletrack and just plain fun. Flume trail was originally built as an alternative route for the race as well as for snowmobile use in the winter.

Flume will connect you to Chainsaw. Chainsaw begins as an easy road but don’t let that fool you. After riding around the first pond you climb steeply for a bit to the second pond (watch for moose in this area). The trail levels just enough to let you catch your breath before resuming the climb. The climb does get gradually easier as you go. Once you crest out a smooth fast descent takes you to the Elk Creek road.

At the Elk Creek road turn right then immediately left onto Elk Meadows. Elk Meadows rolls on an old road, cruises through some pines and ends at D2. Turn left on D2, cross the huge puddle then head uphill. This is the second longest climb in the route. D2, once a singletrack on the bottom half and now a road, climbs aggressively. Your legs will most certainly be talking to you here. Up through the switchbacks, past D2 Green the climb continues. Keep a sharp eye out for WTB on your left in an open clearing (the sign is at the edge of the clearing because it has a tendency to disappear).

WTB is another trail built as an alternative route for this race. Turning left from D2 you will find yourself on an old road through tight pines (much like the D2 of the past). This easy cruise ends abruptly as you begin the most technical part of the course. Pure Winter Park singletrack awaits you. Steep switchback rocky climbs, twisting descent then a leg burning climb drops you out on D4.

D4 gives you a bit of reprieve to the hard climb that exits WTB. Smooth jeep road at the top then a fast descent lets you recover just a bit. At the bottom of D4 turn right on Vasquez Road.

Vasquez Road is normally an easy climb. It still amazes me as to how hard this road is at this point of the race. What should be an easy roll has you working a bit to maintain your speed. When you reach Vasquez Forge turn left and cross the river. If you are like me you will find the river very refreshing. It is possible to ride across but most do not make it, which probably explains the large number of spectators here. More than one unsuspecting rider has taken a swim.

The road continues for a short bit after Vasquez Forge to the top of Blue Sky. Turning left on Blue Sky you find one of our best trails. The word that best describes this trail is fun. Slightly downhill, fast corners and generally very smooth. Blue Sky is one of my favorite trails.

At the end of Blue Sky cross Little Vasquez Road and begin climbing Ice Hill. Rocky at first, Ice Hill turns into a fun yet challenging singletrack. The singletrack section of Ice Hill was built for the race course in order to avoid crossing private land. As your roll into the singletrack climb carry a bit of speed to avoid spinning out on the first large root. The short descent here keeps your heart pumping as it is fast but short lived. Ice Hill ends at the Tracks Trail. Turn right on Tracks Trail then right again on Lower Cherokee.

Lower Cherokee will feel like the hardest climb in the race. Although shorter than the Tipperary or D2 climbs it is steeper while being near the end of the ride where your legs are screaming a bit. Loose rocks, switchbacks and generally just plain hard is what lies ahead. Be sure to come back and ride this when your legs are fresh for real enjoyment. You will be very thankful when you reach the top and turn left on Tunnel Hill. At this point you are almost done.

Tunnel Hill is a very smooth and level gravel road. The next road you hit is Turnpike at the Winter Park Resort. Cross Turnpike to 300 yard walk. Continue on 300 yard walk to the bottom of the Long Trail. It is now all downhill to the finish!!!!! If  you are comparing yourself against the top racers. The pros will do the 26 miles in 1 hour and 50 minutes or less. Anything under 2 hours is very fast.

Give the course a try and if you want test yourself at the King of the Rockies Race this Sunday. For more information on the race check out the Competition Center at Winter Park Resort.

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