When the heat of summer makes desert rides less appealing, high country alternates are less than half an hour away. Three Forks / 2150 follows the headwaters of Rifle creek through spruce trees, aspen groves, and wildflower meadows. The trail is not particularly technical, but the deep grass and dense foliage reduce it to a narrow, at times nearly invisible thread of dirt below summertime wildflowers grazing your handlebars. Further east, the West Elk collection of trails provides a more extensive menu of options. Cherry Creek is an excellent shuttle run, or challenging climb to loop Mansfield Ditch; Clark Ridge provides an additional extension.