I've ridden through some of the more interesting areas in the Denver metro area for the last few years with a few incidents. These issues have occurred in the same area along the same small portion of a trail. However, I do not know what is wrong with me lately but that area is positively creeping me out. Granted the worst instance was last Thursday and I was completely exhausted. On the ride home in the dark I was just about ready to jump out of my skin. For one i need a better light.
I would think that generally these supposedly bad areas are not that bad. The exception seems to be various isolated trails. I think it is time to look into a street route to replace that section of the trail for me.