One-way Distance: 1.4 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
MTB Skill level:
Elevation: 4640 - 4820 feet
Cellphone: 3-5 bars
Time: 30 mins.
Trailhead: Tabeguache/Lunch Loop or Little Park Rd. MM12
Fee: none
Attractions: Fun singletrack
The Holey Bucket trail is located in the Tabeguache Lunch Loop Trail System. The trail runs along the east side of a small valley below Little Park Road connecting the Holy Cross and Clunker trails. Along the way it also has connections to the Bunker and Gunny Loop trails and the trailhead that is just off of Little Park Road at mile marker 12.
For this post we are beginning at the point where the Holey Bucket trail branches off from the Holy Cross trail.
The trail takes off on a solid dirt track following the contours along the base of the mountain.
As the trail wraps around the hillside much of the rest of its route can be seen up ahead.
A few large boulders that have collected along the base of the hill provide a fun route to navigate through.
The trail is fast and easy for the first half mile of so.
As the trail progresses it begins creeping a little higher up on the side of the hill. Just past the half mile point it passes the spot where the Bunker trail branches off on the left and cuts across the valley to the Clunker trail. At this point the Holey Bucket trail starts climbing at a moderate pace.
The trail continues its moderate climb with only minor obstacles along the way until it gradually becomes much closer to the rim than it is to the valley.
Before reaching the rim the trail comes to an intersection where the Gunny Loop drops down into the valley below. From this point to the parking area on Little Park Road the Holey Bucket and Gunny Loop trails share the same route.
The last stretch of the trail leading up to the rim gets a little steeper but other than that there are only a couple of bumps here and there to slow it down.
At the top of the hill the Gunny Loop branches off on the right where it cuts through the parking area before crossing Little Park Road. The Holey Bucket trail continues to the left where it drops down to meet the Clunker trail.
The short road that leads from Little Park Road up to the parking area is rutted out quite a bit but cars don't seem to have much trouble with it when the conditions are dry.
From the parking area the Holey Bucket trail takes a long sweeping route to get back down to the floor of the valley.
Back in the valley the Holey Bucket trail meets up with Clunker and comes to an end. The Clunker trail continues along the west side of the little valley and can be used to create a nice loop. It has connections with the Miramonte Rim and Holy Cross trails so the options seem almost endless. The parking area off of Little Park Road doesn't have a restroom but it is still a good option when the main trailhead on Monument Road is packed or when you just want to get away from the crowds over there. It is also the quickest way to get on the Holey Bucket trail. If you would like to see it for yourself then all you have to do is grab your bike or 'Take a hike'.
