0.0 Turn left on Fremont CR 70/CR 45 and cross the Arkansas River.
0.5 “Better Crops for Better Living”, the U.S. Soil Conditioning Co. on your left.
0.7 Cross the train tracks. Follow the road straight on CR 45.
0.9 The road splits. Take the right hand road, CR 45. There are no signs at this intersection. The road heads slightly downhill along the river.
1.9 Look across the river to see the small town of Swissvale. This section of the ride traverses high altitude desert through piñon pine, fractured red rocks and cactus.
2.4 Cross a cattle guard. The road gets rougher until just before the town of Howard.
2.5 Cross directly beneath the railroad tracks and stay to the left, downstream. This road used to be open to cars, but since a flood washed it out, there is no through route for automobiles. Better for bikes.
3.0 The “cliffs”, a popular swimming hole. Watch out for strong currents…it’s a river.
3.1 Railroad tunnel on your left.
4.3 After a short steep downhill, enter Badger Creek and turn left (upstream if there is water). Ride up the creek for 20 yards and turn right uphill. The right turn is before the large railroad bridge.
5.5 Across the river begins the small town of Howard.
6.3 Ride straight on CR 45 through these intersections. The road turns to pavement for about 100 yards and back to dirt.
7.0 River wash – do not try to cross if there is water running through it. Once past the wash, look right (south) for an amazing view of the Twin Sisters peaks.
7.6 The road changes to pavement. In mid-August this area shines with wild sunflowers.
8.2 The road changes back to dirt.
8.3 Ride straight through the intersection and stay on CR 45.
9.6 Old cemetery.
12.1 The end of the road! Stop at the Vallie Bridge Recreation Site, an AHRA fishing access pullout on the right side of the road. This is a self-service fee area costing a few dollars a day per person. For that dough you get access to pit toilets, a changing area and picnic tables. There is also a walk-in campground beside the river – check fees and reserve it here: http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/ArkansasHeadwaters/Camping/