Longmont is located northeast of the county seat of Boulder, about 31 mi/49.9 km north-northwest of the Colorado state capitol in Denver. It is a home rule municipality in Boulder, Weld Counties in the U.S. state of Colorado.
It is an easy going community only 16 mi/25.8 km away from Boulder. One of the most popular sports in Boulder is cross country skiing. A great spot for cross country skiing is Jamestown loop. It is a 9.5 mi/15.3 km loop that follows the river, while you walk high into the mountains.
At many points the river passes through the trail, making you step on footpaths that have been built over the river. The road has loose gravel. The trail makes you work on the ascents, but the technical descent is the one that will blow your mind.
The trail starts as a dirt road and turns into a four wheel, drive road that skirts the river. At 1.5 mi/2.4 km, the water has washed out the entire trail, so you have about 100 ft/30.5 m of water (in winter it is ice) to walk into or by. At 3 mi/4.8 km, there is an intersection with a private property, where you need to cross the stream.
Continue on this road and after 3.3 mi/5.3 km go straight up the mountain. At 4.6 mi/7.4 km, you meet a 3 way intersection. It is suggested to take 509 up a short, rocky section. Continue on a difficult, technical trail part and 5.5 mi/8.8 km further, you meet another 3 way intersection, where you should keep on left.
Get off 509 and start an insane downhill, that is extremely difficult. At the next 6.1 mi/9.8 km, you meet an abandoned mine. You can sit there and catch your breath. At 8.1 more mi/13 km, you meet a well maintained service road; turn right and head to Jamestown.
After 8.6 mi/13.8 km, you are back again on the paved road and can head back to your car. The trail is regarding physical level, difficult and as for technical level, moderate.
