Lakota Launchpad

The quick way up into the Highland trails

Lakota Launchpad does what the name says: it fires you from the edge of the Lakota Canyon neighborhood up into the Highland trail area with as little wasted distance as possible. Built during the 2020 Highland expansion, it climbs 337 feet over 1.35 miles on a steady, honest grade — no switchback theatrics, just a sustained push through sage and juniper with the Grand Hogback stacked across the valley behind you. The trailhead sits right off the paved path at the top of the subdivision, so a lot of rides here start from a front door instead of a parking lot.

Ride it when time is short: up the Launchpad, into the Highland loops, back down whichever descent you’ve earned. Stairway to Heaven is the prettier way into the same terrain; this is the faster one, and the trade-off is a grade that doesn’t really relent until you top out. The paved path connection makes it a natural after-work climb from town — no shuttle, no driving, just pedal to the sign and start up.

The singletrack leaves the paved path at a buck-and-rail log fence, and you’ll spot badger-style burrows dug into the red dirt right beside the tread. Winter delivers the scenery: a full moon over the snow-covered Lakota Canyon golf valley, the plowed path glowing at sunset, fresh snow plastering the hogback across the way. The tread runs red to pink-tan sandy with scattered red sandstone pebbles.

More on this trail: View on MTB Project → (original description contributed by community members on MTB Project)