Although this may seem like a short ride, it will take you a little bit of time with all the twisties and scenery.  Deer Creek Canyon has some very nice twisties as you proceed up into the Rockies.  However, if it’s a nice day, don’t be surprised if you also see bicyclist using the same road.  The scenery along Co Rd 126/Hwy 67, as you make your way through Pike National Forest is absolutely beautiful.  You’ll even get a glimpse of the damage left by the Hayman fire of 2002, Colorado’s largest fire in state history.  A must-see after you descend down from the mountains is Garden of the Gods and the Garden of the Gods Trading Post.  Stop in for a quick stop and pick up a bottle of water and a souvenir.  The remainder of the ride allows you 2 ways to make it back to the end of the ride; on the west side of I-25 through Palmer Lake and Hwy 105, or on the east side of I-25 along Hwy 83.

Details: This ride can be started from numerous locations along the route.  However, for simplicity, the route details will assume a starting point in Castle Rock.  From Castle Rock, take Hwy 85 north to Titan Rd.  Follow Titan Rd. 4.5 miles and turn right onto W. Waterton Rd.  W. Waterton Rd. will turn into S. Platte Canyon Rd./Hwy 121.  Continue until you reach Co Rd. 124/W. Deer Creek Canyon Rd (if you reach the freeway, you’ve gone too far).  Turn left onto Co Rd. 124 and follow it 6.2 miles to S. Deer Creek Rd.  Turn left onto S. Deer Creek Rd., which will turn into High Grade Rd., then Pleasant Park Rd., and follow it to Conifer and Hwy 285.  Take Hwy 285 south 6.8 miles to Co Rd. 126/Pine Valley Rd.  Turn left onto Co Rd. 126 and follow it all the way to Woodland Park (Co Rd. 126 turns into Hwy 67 at Deckers).  At Woodland Park, turn left onto Hwy 24.  Continue on Hwy 24 to Manitou Springs.  Exit Hwy 24 onto Manitou Ave. (2^nd Manitou Ave. exit) and go east 0.3 miles to Beckers Lane.  Turn left onto Beckers Lane and follow the signs to the Garden of the Gods Trading Post.  From the Trading Post, continue through the park approximately 2.5 miles and turn right onto Gateway Rd.  At the stop sign turn left onto 30^th St.  Follow 30^th St. to Garden of the Gods Rd. and turn right onto Garden of the Gods Rd.  Continue on Garden of the Gods Rd. to I-25.  From I-25 you have 2 choices to get back to Castle Rock, Hwy 105 via Palmer Lake on the west side of I-25, or Hwy 83 on the east side of I-25.

West side: Take I-25 north to County Line Rd.  Turn left and follow County Line Rd. to the end.  Turn left onto Spruce Mountain Rd. and then an immediate right onto Hwy 105.  Continue 18.9 miles and turn right onto Wolfensberger Rd.  Follow Wolfensberger Rd. into Castle Rock.  Map via west route.