Mountain - Plains - High Line Canal-Denver

I'm going to be in Denver this summer and was wondering how this trail is between Chatfield and Cherry Creek? I've ridden a few trails in Denver, but not this one.

Ther is a disjoint of the HIghline Canal as it crosses Santa Fe. They are doing a lot of construction at Santa Fe and C-470. I don't know the effect on the trail of this construction and crossing Santa Fe. You might consider starting your journey at the Trailhead on County LIne Road, just about 1/2 mile west of Broadway. The Highline Canal between Chatfield and Santa Fe is not that pretty, IMHO, but others may disagree. From County LIne to Cherry Creek shold be a pleasant and very pretty ride. You could do a loop, returning in a couple of different ways if you wanted.

This section of the trail is hard pack dirt/"fines" For some reason unknown to me, the old map below does not show the CC Trail in the Chatfield area, but otherwise may give you some ideas.

http://www.ourwebs.info/denverbikemap1.jpg

The highline canal trail at C-470 is unaffected by the construction.

Be aware that in Arapahoe county, at least, the trail is circuitous, crosses streets frequently, and has a lot of pedestrian traffic, so it isn't conducive to high speed riding.

It seems to me that the last time I rode in Denver, I passed by the trail before I got to Cherry Hills Village riding on Oxford Ave. I'll probably try join just west of Broadway and ride to Cherry Creek Trail. I love riding in this part of Denver, and ending up at Confluence Park is the best.
Thanks for the info!

I rode it from Chatfield to Cherry Creek last weekend, it was fine other than the annoying dismounts for Broadway. Bring a map or smartphone because you will run into turns 3 or 4 times where it's not obvious which direction should be taken.

Just so you know, it's not paved for 3/4 of that length (equestrian trail), though it's very hardpack and I've never had any problem with 23/28mm tires.

Thanks fenny, I might try riding it from Cherry Creek back to Chats. I notice the Denver Bike Map doesn't really show much of this trail.
Most of the riders I've met in Denver were always helpful to a lost rider, I'm sure I can get pointed in the right direction when I get to those spots.

AFAIK Highline Canal trail does not connect across Santa Fe - must take Titan Rd to Roxborough Park Rd or use C470 trail to get to Chatfield. Looks like they added some marked shoulders since I last rode that way. The Highline Canal Trail in Chatfield State Park E of Roxborough is very sandy and stops at private land - Horse riders get more than a little upset if you venture that way.

You can load these trails (and hundreds of others to your GPS or smart phone (w GPX app) as tracks to follow.

If you have a Garmin Mapping GPS or DeLorme, you can overlay a map of over 1800 miles of trails onto them.

Thanks for the info _dr, and thanks for the link. That's an incredible website. I'm currently using a Garmin eTrex Legend. It is pretty basic, but it suits my purpose. I'm really looking forward to the ride this summer.

gps_dr, I've downloaded your track for the Cherry Creek Trail south. How is the trail from the Park to the C-470 trail? This is going to be my return route. Would I be better just riding down Jordan?

I often just ride straight down Jordan. It depends on time of day, day of week, and your comfort riding in traffic. The trail, once you get on it, is good but circuitous. There are directions for making the trail connection in this thread http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/721958-Cherry-Creek-Touring

I am not a fan of riding Jordan, but find it easier (perhaps safer) heading south rather than north. But, it is pretty easy to get back on the CC Trail at Fremont or further south, if you like. It was rebuilt a few years ago, but they failed to design bicycle travel into the road.

I don't mind riding in traffic, so Southbound shouldn't be too bad. I would take the CC trail, but it will be at the end of a long ride and I just want to get back home.

Thanks for the advice!