Mountain - Plains - Anyone else get a Glorious ride in Denver Metro Area Today?

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My wife and I did a few DBTC rides, but stopped after a very strange incident in which, at the lunch after the ride, the ride leader, Rex ???, (and I guess he was the president at that time) started yelling loudly in the restaurant (County Line Barbecue) at one of the members with whom we were eating - a nice lady. Everyone in the restaurant was looking at this yelling person - we could not fathom what his concern was. Anyway, my wife and I and the lady left the restaurant and went elsewhere. Wow, was that strange. Left a bad taste, and besides I learned to enjoy solo or riding with my wife more than group rides!

Rex is kind of an odd duck. He's okay but an aquired taste. He does a lot of winter rides and some summer rides so it's easier to avoid him during the summer.

...places that we as long-time Coloradans haven't seen for a long-time, or in fact, have never seen!
Awesome! Yeah, it's a good reminder for all of us to play tourist in a state that offers so much.
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My wife and I did a few DBTC rides, but stopped after a very strange incident in which, at the lunch after the ride, the ride leader, Rex ...
I think I know who you're talking about and I didn't care for the guy either. I don't think he's affliated with DBTC in anyway any more.


I wish I was wealthy...

I took the day off work, slept in, brought a book to my favorite little deli for breakfast, then rode for four hours.

For those interested: Platte River Trail south of REI has a fair amount of construction going on -- had to stop several times for trucks, workers or to walk around obstacles, as well as detoured onto the street for a mile. The workers were pretty cool. One apologized for problems, another pulled in the big side mirror on his truck so I could squeak by staying on pavement.

LO Says...
I took the day off work, slept in, brought a book to my favorite little deli for breakfast, then rode for four hours.

Sounds pretty rich to me! Can you get Unemployment there, or have you used up the life limit? Write a note detailing the day and put in an envelope marked " Do not open until the March blizzard blows snow up your pants" Then get a cup-o-joe and read brother, read!

:lol: :D

I'm very selfish and hope we don't get another March blizzard... cuts into my riding time.

All my local bros and sisters... Shifty's coming to town in May or June.

:lol: :D

I'm very selfish and hope we don't get another March blizzard... cuts into my riding time.

All my local bros and sisters... Shifty's coming to town in May or June.

You'll find me in a fern bar downtown tapping my foot to the sounds of "Radar Love", because now it's stuck in my head. Spring time in the Rockies, I'll bring my jungle hat with built in fan, snow boots, wind faring, Dan Fogelburg Fan Club tee shirt and Red Zinger Classic jersey. What am I forgeting... Go Broncos flag for my helmet!!

Got in a small ride yesterday with the wife. She is volunteering this pm from 12-4, so I think I will ride, ride, ride - as the temp is about 55F, sunny and clear!

Got in a small ride yesterday with the wife. She is volunteering this pm from 12-4, so I think I will ride, ride, ride - as the temp is about 55F, sunny and clear!

While I'm stuck inside driving trucks to nowhere. I how we get a freak snow storm :D Serve you right! Oh, wait, I have to ride home tonight. Strike that.

Stuart Black

Leaving work early today to get in a ride on MTB before the weather gets bad.

The weather's getting bad?!? Oh, I guess it is getting colder. Damn, I'm going to have to buckle down and tough out the commute. Maybe I'll put the studs on my xtracycle. If you commute, you get to ride every day!

I think its suppose to just get colder. Maybe light snow by Monday.

YES YES YES YES

59F, sunny, cobalt blue sky, snow covered 14,000+ feet Mt Evans, Long's Peak and the Indian Peaks in the background - Perfection, absolute perfection for a road bike ride. I and my Lemond had a GLORIOUS time at Cherry Creek reservoir and areas about there riding for a couple of hours today - along with scores of other bicyclists!

Amazingly, I did pretty good for someone on 2/3rd's of a heart. The weight loss has really helped!

Sorry about you folks elsewhere who have to ride in miserable conditions.

Amazingly, I did pretty good for someone on 2/3rd's of a heart.
2/3rds? No way man, you're all heart!


Today -- rode from my place at CC & Monaco to the reservoir, down Jordan past 470 where it hooked into a trail, just east along 470. I think it's the southern section of the non-contiguous CCT? Took the pavement to where it ended at dirt. I think they're gonna pave that too someday and that'll go into Castlewood Canyon.

And I finally bought the DBTC map :)

2/3rds? No way man, you're all heart!


Today -- rode from my place at CC & Monaco to the reservoir, down Jordan past 470 where it hooked into a trail, just east along 470. I think it's the southern section of the non-contiguous CCT? Took the pavement to where it ended at dirt. I think they're gonna pave that too someday and that'll go into Castlewood Canyon.

And I finally bought the DBTC map :)

How wrong you are. :eek:

You gave up too soon. Where it ended was Scott Road - but that is NOT the end.

At Scott Road, go left on the dirt road, over the bridge, turn right on the dirt road for one mile, which is officially the CC Trail through that area, go to the swimming pool at the next subdivision, turn right, go 1/2 mile, and you will be back on cement trail again. Take that trail to the next dirt road (Castle Oaks Drive or something like that), jog 1/4 mile to you right, and you once again will be on cement. Continue on until the cement ends, and you will be at a gate where you are 1/2 mile from CO 86, the road between Franktown and Castle Rock. Jog left about 1/2 mile, turn right and take the paved road into Castlewood Canyon.

As you joined the CCTrail from E470 and Jordan, you passed my house on the right 3/4 mile south.

At Scott Road, go left on the dirt road, over the bridge, turn right on the dirt road for one mile, which is officially the CC Trail through that area, go to the swimming pool at the next subdivision, turn right, go 1/2 mile, and you will be back on cement trail again. Take that trail to the next dirt road (Castle Oaks Drive or something like that), jog 1/4 mile to you right, and you once again will be on cement. Continue on until the cement ends, and you will be at a gate where you are 1/2 mile from CO 86, the road between Franktown and Castle Rock. Jog left about 1/2 mile, turn right and take the paved road into Castlewood Canyon.
holy carp! :eek: How the heck do you remember that?! Okay, sure, I've had four concussions and my brain ain't so good, but even on my best day... I'm gonna have to print that out and take it with me. You may have 2/3rds of a heart, but you've got 150% of a brain.

Still, from my place roundtrip to Scott road was 55 miles. I'm gonna have to bring more supplies next time, unless you know a good place to re-fuel around CO 86?

Is the dirt road smooth enough for a road bike?

LO, Something I can ride with ya, you think??

oh sure.

Distance requires, obviously, a basic level of fitness, which you have from mtb'ing, but it's mostly about being comfortable, fluids, fuel, and electrolytes.

But I bet you'll love climbing more than distance :)

No I really like distance more then climbing. Someone once said that I like to petal!!!

No I really like distance more then climbing.
well then, I'm dragging you to your first century ride this summer :)

many fine events to choose from.

Great, looking forward to it!!!

How wrong you are. :eek:

You gave up too soon. Where it ended was Scott Road - but that is NOT the end.

At Scott Road, go left on the dirt road, over the bridge, turn right on the dirt road for one mile, which is officially the CC Trail through that area, go to the swimming pool at the next subdivision, turn right, go 1/2 mile, and you will be back on cement trail again. Take that trail to the next dirt road (Castle Oaks Drive or something like that), jog 1/4 mile to you right, and you once again will be on cement. Continue on until the cement ends, and you will be at a gate where you are 1/2 mile from CO 86, the road between Franktown and Castle Rock. Jog left about 1/2 mile, turn right and take the paved road into Castlewood Canyon.

As you joined the CCTrail from E470 and Jordan, you passed my house on the right 3/4 mile south.

Is the fox saying here that the road through Castlewood canyon is paved? That would be an incredible ride from either direction, is it paved all the way SE to highway 83? I used to have a GF from Denver when I lived in the springs, we use to meet at the old dam for sunset picnics and smoochies, called in sick A LOT those days. Paved, wow, hope they didn't forget the speed bumps, i'd be a shame is traffic went too fast in there.

It was a very nice day to ride today. I rode from my place in Highlands Ranch (Broadway and Highlands Ranch PKWY) along the C-470 bike path to Morrison, up Rooney Rd and turned around at W. Alameda PKWY.

Nice ride, but those knobby tires on my mountain bike prevented me from keeping a nice brisk pace. I can't wait to start riding my road bike again. It's just that I need to purchase a new back wheel (it has 9000 miles on it) because I was popping a spoke everytime I went out for a ride.

Is the dirt road smooth enough for a road bike?

Yes, if not muddy. I have done this on my road bike.

Is the fox saying here that the road through Castlewood canyon is paved? That would be an incredible ride from either direction, is it paved all the way SE to highway 83? I used to have a GF from Denver when I lived in the springs, we use to meet at the old dam for sunset picnics and smoochies, called in sick A LOT those days. Paved, wow, hope they didn't forget the speed bumps, i'd be a shame is traffic went too fast in there.

There are two sides to Castlewood Canyon - west and east, and they don't meet. The east side comes off of 83, the west is from 86 south. The road TO CWC on the west side is paved to the state park, where it turns rutty and washboard. I have done this on my mtn bike, and even then it was uncomfortable.

The ranch on the south side of CWC has been bought by Douglas County Open Space and will remain a working ranch, never to be developed!

There are two sides to Castlewood Canyon - west and east, and they don't meet. The east side comes off of 83, the west is from 86 south. The road TO CWC on the west side is paved to the state park, where it turns rutty and washboard. I have done this on my mtn bike, and even then it was uncomfortable.

The ranch on the south side of CWC has been bought by Douglas County Open Space and will remain a working ranch, never to be developed!

OK, so not paved, good! I used to come in from the SE off 83 and come to the old dam, where the State Park begins, I think. Not too clear about how I got there, it's been too long, sure was a hidden gem back then. Thanks Fox! sounds like you had a nice ride today, nothing beat a sunny day and a mile high!

OK, so not paved, good! I used to come in from the SE off 83 and come to the old dam, where the State Park begins, I think. Not too clear about how I got there, it's been too long, sure was a hidden gem back then. Thanks Fox! sounds like you had a nice ride today, nothing beat a sunny day and a mile high!

No, I didn't ride today (Saturday) - LordOpie was reviewing his ride, and I was commenting. However, I did walk 4 miles in Waterton Canyon with the wife, and did ride Friday!

CWC has become popular. The turnoff on 83 is about 5 miles south of Franktown, and goes to the more "developed" side of CWCSP. This is the entrance that is signed. The paved road off of 86 is just west of the CC Bridge, and there is a portion of the finished trail under the bridge (closed trail) and also a portion at the first parking lot within the state park. It only goes about 1/4 mile there.

On this (west) side there are cliffs where a lot of folks do rock climbing. The cliffs are on the west side of the dirt road.

The paved road from 86 to the dirt road in the park has a significant uphill.

question - C470 Trail from Chatfield through Morrison to I-70??

I have never ridden this section of the C470 Trail.

Is it contiguous from Chatfield through I-70. I know at one time it had some breaks requiring detours, etc. Is this corrected?

One nice loop would be Platte River Trail to Bear Creek Trail west to Morrison, C470 south to Chatfield SP to Platte River Trail. I would guess that would be about 50-60 miles, if the C470 trail goes from Morrison to Chatfield.

One could also go on the Clear Creek Trail to Golden, S on the C470 trail, but I am not sure how you get around I-70, or if it goes through there.

Yes, there IS a trail in the Denver Metro area I have not ridden (C-470 - have done the rest of the above).

According to the DBTC map:

C-470 continues, but splits from paralleling 470 just after Belleview taking you into Bear Creek Park. Take the first left and follow it under the 470 bridge into Morrison where it 'stops'. Make a right turn onto Rooney Rd going north. This is where I usually park to ride in this area.

While there is a sidewalk along 470 from here to Alameda, it's broken up enough -and- the traffic on the road is so little, that most people ride the street. At Alameda, the map says the trail continues on and turns into recognized street bike route that's either on Rooney Rd or the street over... can't tell. Looks like you can jump back onto a paved path at Colfax and take it into Golden. I can't confirm this cuz I usually go west on Alameda and make a left turn to climb over the Hogback.

Coming down the other side, I go north along 26/Hogback Rd, under I-70 and screaming down hill. Just past Heritage Square, make a left turn and follow the road to 6th Ave. This is all on the street, but where the traffic picks up, it's multiple lanes and the cagers give a wide berth.

Cross 6th Ave going north at the intersection and cross again going west to get onto a good paved trail that parallels 6th. Take that into Golden and ride streets to get to Clear Creek... which I've not done cuz I make a left onto 19th and climb Lookout Mt.

C-470 continues, but splits from paralleling 470 just after Belleview taking you into Bear Creek Park. Take the first left and follow it under the 470 bridge into Morrison where it 'stops'. Make a right turn onto Rooney Rd going north. This is where I usually park to ride in this area.

Okay. The C470 Trail would connect with the Bear Creek Trail right at Morrison (I have been to Morrison on the Bear Creek Trail), meaning you could go east on the Bear Creek Trail and complete a loop - For example.

1. Park at Park-n-Ride/Carson Nature Center - Mineral & Santa Fe
2. Platte River Trail south through Chatfield SP to C-470 Trail
3. C470 Trail to Morrison
4. Morrison east on Bear Creek Trail to Platte River Trail (I really think the C470 Trail meets with the BCT inside Bear Lake Park, so you might not need to go all the way to Morrison to catch BCT)
5. South on PRT to Carson Nature Center (Park and Ride)

Should be about 40-45 miles, I would guess, and it would be a nice ride.

It was a perfect day for ridding yesterday, temps in the 60's soft breeze, as I watch a light snow fall today. Started out on my usual loop on the CC trail from C Creek/Quebec around CC Reservoir but decided to find out where the CC bike trail ends in Parker. Well my usual and limit 20 mile ride turned into a 55 mile ride of discovery and fatigue. Met another biker doing the same thing, as we reconnect to the CC trail via Jordan Rd.
He told me about this site and all the info about other rides in the Denver area. Have looked over just a few but see this is a great source to expand my future rides. Thanks Steve. :)

Thanks Steve.
Hey! That's me?! :D

Welcome Mike.

Glad we did 55 miles yesterday... it's too cold today :(

I'm so jealous of you Denver guys! I have several friends I've met here and on BikeJournal.com in the Denver area. Now if I could just find some up here!

Okay. The C470 Trail would connect with the Bear Creek Trail right at Morrison (I have been to Morrison on the Bear Creek Trail), meaning you could go east on the Bear Creek Trail and complete a loop - For example.

1. Park at Park-n-Ride/Carson Nature Center - Mineral & Santa Fe
2. Platte River Trail south through Chatfield SP to C-470 Trail
3. C470 Trail to Morrison
4. Morrison east on Bear Creek Trail to Platte River Trail (I really think the C470 Trail meets with the BCT inside Bear Lake Park, so you might not need to go all the way to Morrison to catch BCT)

As you come into the golf course at the base of Bear Creek Res. continue on through and go over Carbon Mountain (that's that big hill to the south of Bear Creek Lake). Once over go about half way down the west side and turn left when you can. This will put you on the upper trail that goes the C-470 trail. The bridge goes over US285 about a half mile or more from C-470 and eventually wanders it way back over to C-470.

[/QUOTE]5. South on PRT to Carson Nature Center (Park and Ride)

Should be about 40-45 miles, I would guess, and it would be a nice ride.[/QUOTE]

As you come into the golf course at the base of Bear Creek Res. continue on through and go over Carbon Mountain (that's that big hill to the south of Bear Creek Lake). Once over go about half way down the west side and turn left when you can. This will put you on the upper trail that goes the C-470 trail. The bridge goes over US285 about a half mile or more from C-470 and eventually wanders it way back over to C-470.



Yes, I know Mt Carbon well. Watched one day as they gassed all the prairie dogs so they could expand the golf course. My brother-in-law was a summer ranger there last summer (He is in Iraq now training Iraqi-to-be policemen at age 63!).

I will take that trip next time I get up that way.

Generally I head over to the stables and have a sandwich.

Thanks.

While there is a sidewalk along 470 from here to Alameda, it's broken up enough -and- the traffic on the road is so little, that most people ride the street. At Alameda, the map says the trail continues on and turns into recognized street bike route that's either on Rooney Rd or the street over... can't tell. Looks like you can jump back onto a paved path at Colfax and take it into Golden. I can't confirm this cuz I usually go west on Alameda and make a left turn to climb over the Hogback.
If you want a good workout then I recommend taking the C-470 Trail from Chatfield. It is up and down all the way from Kipling to the top of Lookout Mt. The best part is very few people use this trail, so you won't be yelling "on your left" too often.

After leaving Bear Creek Park and riding under C-470 you will come to and cross Bear Creek Ave (Morrison Rd). This is where you pick up Rooney Rd. As Lord Opie said you can either continue on the bike path or ride on the road since it's not too busy. Ride to and cross Alameda and pick up the bike path, which after a mile and a half will eventually end at another section of Rooney Rd. Take a right on Rooney Rd. (this section of Rooney Rd. was recently paved over and widened to give bicyclist a lane).

This section of Rooney Rd. will take you over I-70 and then down to W. Colfax. On the corner is a convenience store and several hundred feet to the right is a bike path. It's a short ride on this path to get to Highway 6 where you will then cross the intersection to continue on the path. You will then pass the Jefferson County Building and continue on this newly paved bike path that parallels HWY 6. You'll end up at the corner of HWY 6 and 19th St in Golden.

From there you can go left to climb Lookout Mt. or go right into Golden. Round trip from my place in Highlands Ranch to Buffalo Bill's Grave is 65 miles.

It's a short ride on this path to get to Highway 6 where you will then cross the intersection to continue on the path. You will then pass the Jefferson County Building and continue on this newly paved bike path that parallels HWY 6. You'll end up at the corner of HWY 6 and 19th St in Golden.

Yes, I know that bike path well.

I took a course at the School of Mines last summer (2003) and rode the trail during my lunch breaks. It also winds up Lookout Mountain a bit with some good climbs.

Thanks for all the input. Lots of great rides around.

Given my heart situation, I think I will stick to under 40 miles right now.

I took a course at the School of Mines last summer (2003) and rode the trail during my lunch breaks.
After passing the sign that welcomes you to Golden, it used to be that the paved path ended next to one of the holes at the golf course and I would have to take a gravel road that eventually got me to 19th St. Finally, in 2004 they finished the path that now takes me to the corner of HWY 6 and 19th St.

Considering your heart condition, any ride near 40 miles is still an awesome distance. Good for you!! :)

The weather's getting bad?!? Oh, I guess it is getting colder. Damn, I'm going to have to buckle down and tough out the commute. Maybe I'll put the studs on my xtracycle. If you commute, you get to ride every day!

LALA the contrarian,
What is the condition of the trail that connects from Monument to the springs, is it the Santa Fe Trail?
Is the surface maintained and suitable for road bike? I never rode it, think it was finished after I moved from the area. I thought the ride from Monument along the frontage roads and the section of bike path to Northgate was great for skinny tires, and fun on the rollers in the bike path section. Can you still ride through the academy? Seems the security was tightened during the W years, nice place to ride, and connect into town. I was there for the world championships, the altitude was really putting the pinch on a lot of riders, fun.

After passing the sign that welcomes you to Golden, it used to be that the paved path ended next to one of the holes at the golf course and I would have to take a gravel road that eventually got me to 19th St. Finally, in 2004 they finished the path that now takes me to the corner of HWY 6 and 19th St.

Considering your heart condition, any ride near 40 miles is still an awesome distance. Good for you!! :)

Yes, they were just finishing it during the time I was taking the course. They were still working on it, but it was mostly done!

... it's too cold today :(
I decided to brave the cold today and took a ride. Once I started to lose the feeling in my toes, I turned around and made it a short 30 mile ride.

While riding north on the Platte River Trial today I saw that they're putting in two "slow down" circles. One is at the Carson Nature Center where you would enter the PRT and the other is just south of the snack bar at Hudson Gardens where the Gulch Trail connects with the PRT. They've also added a foot path that runs parallel with the bike path which starts at the parking lot near C-470 all the way up to Bowles. Last summer, while riding past the Carson Nature Center I saw a person down on the ground after being hit by a cyclist. Two years ago near the Prince St. underpass two cyclist crashed, killing one. That's why today you will see a park bench and a plaque near it in memory of Tom Fox who was killed at that spot.

This is exactly why I asked everyone for new route suggestions. The Platte River Trail (from Chatfield to Confluence Park) and the Cherry Creek Trail (from Confluence Park to Monaco) have become too congested on the weekends (the only time I can ride) over the past two years.

I'm so jealous of you Denver guys! I have several friends I've met here and on BikeJournal.com in the Denver area. Now if I could just find some up here!
Hey N7CZinMT, if you end up not finding any riding friends in your neck of the woods, come on down to Denver. We'll hook you up with good friendly cyclists, some awesome rides, and a few pretty nice after-ride restaurants. :)

I miss my daily ride/bus/walk to Pablo's On 6th :(

While riding north on the Platte River Trial today I saw that they're putting in two "slow down" circles. One is at the Carson Nature Center where you would enter the PRT and the other is just south of the snack bar at Hudson Gardens where the Gulch Trail connects with the PRT. They've also added a foot path that runs parallel with the bike path which starts at the parking lot near C-470 all the way up to Bowles. Last summer, while riding past the Carson Nature Center I saw a person down on the ground after being hit by a cyclist. Two years ago near the Prince St. underpass two cyclist crashed, killing one. That's why today you will see a park bench and a plaque near it in memory of Tom Fox who was killed at that spot.

This is exactly why I asked everyone for new route suggestions. The Platte River Trail (from Chatfield to Confluence Park) and the Cherry Creek Trail (from Confluence Park to Monaco) have become too congested on the weekends (the only time I can ride) over the past two years.

Yes weekends are tough in this area. I am glad they are putting in a separate ped trail!

Do you know the disposition of the person responsible for that biking accident? I know he was charged with some offense in connection with the death.

I knew of Tom, having done a lot of business with the agency of which he was the comptroller.

LALA the contrarian,
What is the condition of the trail that connects from Monument to the springs, is it the Santa Fe Trail?
Is the surface maintained and suitable for road bike? I never rode it, think it was finished after I moved from the area. I thought the ride from Monument along the frontage roads and the section of bike path to Northgate was great for skinny tires, and fun on the rollers in the bike path section. Can you still ride through the academy? Seems the security was tightened during the W years, nice place to ride, and connect into town. I was there for the world championships, the altitude was really putting the pinch on a lot of riders, fun.

I'm not Lala but the Santa Fe Trail is a dirt trail for its entire length. It has a moderately hard surface but has lots of loose spots. A road bike with 700x35 or bigger tires could do it but it wouldn't be a great ride. Mountain bike is better.

At least that's my opinion,

Stuart Black

This is exactly why I asked everyone for new route suggestions. The Platte River Trail (from Chatfield to Confluence Park) and the Cherry Creek Trail (from Confluence Park to Monaco) have become too congested on the weekends (the only time I can ride) over the past two years.
yup. Unless you live near the congested areas and can use the slower speed as a warm-up/cool-down, it's too frustrating to ride there.

South of 470 on 'cherry creek' had plenty of peds on Sat., but you can see ahead for most of the trail and can plan.

But you're lucky to be in HR... you've got Chatfield and when the weather improves you've got Deer Creek Canyon and various options.

LALA the contrarian,
What is the condition of the trail that connects from Monument to the springs, is it the Santa Fe Trail?
Is the surface maintained and suitable for road bike? I never rode it, think it was finished after I moved from the area. I thought the ride from Monument along the frontage roads and the section of bike path to Northgate was great for skinny tires, and fun on the rollers in the bike path section. Can you still ride through the academy? Seems the security was tightened during the W years, nice place to ride, and connect into town. I was there for the world championships, the altitude was really putting the pinch on a lot of riders, fun.


I mostly agree with cyccommute. The trail is mostly hard packed dirt, with some loose or soft/muddy spots. (Now, I'm sure,it had icey/crusty spots!) I have ridden it with my 28mm commuter. I have a touring bike that supposedly has 32mm tyres, that I will use on this trail. You certainly don't 'need' a mtb.

Is the fox saying here that the road through Castlewood canyon is paved? That would be an incredible ride from either direction, is it paved all the way SE to highway 83? I used to have a GF from Denver when I lived in the springs, we use to meet at the old dam for sunset picnics and smoochies, called in sick A LOT those days. Paved, wow, hope they didn't forget the speed bumps, i'd be a shame is traffic went too fast in there.


There is one trail in Castlewood which is paved and it is the only one where cyclists are permitted. The road through the park is not paved.

This is exactly why I asked everyone for new route suggestions. The Platte River Trail (from Chatfield to Confluence Park) and the Cherry Creek Trail (from Confluence Park to Monaco) have become too congested on the weekends (the only time I can ride) over the past two years.

From Highlands Ranch, you could ride on the Highline Canal. I know it's dirt but think of it as resistance training.

Or there is C-470 Trail both east and west. Not the prettiest but a good workout. If you go east, you can connect with the Cherry Creek Trail and eventually with Cherry Creek Res. There are a lot of off street paths out in Aurora that are worth looking into. The maintanence isn't the best but they are worth a look. If you go out the north side of Cherry Creek St. Park on the Spillway path, you can hook up with the Highline which will eventually bring you back to Highlands Ranch. Just the Highline Canal path would add up to around 60 miles.

Stuart Black

Just the Highline Canal path would add up to around 60 miles.

One of my goals this summer is to ride the entire Highline Canal path (http://www.denverwater.org/recreation/highline.html) - I believe in total it is over 66 miles long.


http://www.denverwater.org/recreation/images/hiline.jpg



I have ridden many sections of it, but have never ridden near the start at Waterton Canyon, nor in some sections of south Aurora.

http://www.denverwater.org/recreation/images/highlinecanalmap.jpg

They have done some major trail improvements and trailheads at Waterton Canyon area, including the Trail head intersection with Roxborough Park Road just south of the S. Entrance to Chatfield SP. Also, it is really nice to have an underpass under County Line Road where the HLT merges for a while with the C470 Trail.

One area still to be improved would be the intersection with Santa Fe, where you have to jog and the intersection with Colorado and Hampden, where you have to bypass the canal as it goes through the Wellshire Golf Course.

One of my goals this summer is to ride the entire Highline Canal path (http://www.denverwater.org/recreation/highline.html) - I believe in total it is over 66 miles long.


I have ridden many sections of it, but have never ridden near the start at Waterton Canyon, nor in some sections of south Aurora.

They have done some major trail improvements and trailheads at Waterton Canyon area, including the Trail head intersection with Roxborough Park Road just south of the S. Entrance to Chatfield SP.

One area still to be improved would be the intersection with Santa Fe, where you have to jog and the intersection with Colorado and Hampden, where you have to bypass the canal as it goes through the Wellshire Golf Course.

Out in Aurora things get real dicey. The intersection with Havana is particularly bad. Also ride slow going through Winsor Gardens - lots of retirees. And make sure you have lots of patches and good glue. Goatheads around Chambers Road are a cash crop :eek:

Stuart Black

Out in Aurora things get real dicey. The intersection with Havana is particularly bad. Also ride slow going through Winsor Gardens - lots of retirees. And make sure you have lots of patches and good glue. Goatheads around Chambers Road are a cash crop :eek:

Stuart Black

Yes, I have ridden the Chambers Road, 6th avenue and surrounding area. I hate goatheads!