Two CT trailheads (near Denver)

Trailheads: Waterton Canyon and Indian Creek Trail

• https://coloradotrail.org/traveling-the-ct/starting-points

  • NOTE: Access for dogs/pets is basically prohibited

  • NOTE: Access for bikes is limited to Waterton Canyon and maybe from CO-67

    • No bikes allowed, in Roxborough State Park 

• The Forest Service's website has an excellent map, to zoom in and see all trails

  • https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/psicc/recarea/?recid=12953 

    • All of the following assume a SOTUHBOUND route

  • Trail #1776 is the "Colorado Trail"

    • Mile 0: 

      • Car access via Waterton Road

    • Mile 7: 

      • Foot access via Trail #619

    • Mile ?: 

      • aka "CT Trailhead at South Platte River"

      • Car access via CO-97 (aka "N Platte River Road")

  • Trail #619 is the "Colorado Trail Connection"

    • Foot access ONLY, via Trail #800

    • NO car access

  • Trail #800 is the "Indian Creek Trail"

    • Trail #800 is a LOOP, which is accessible from TWO locations in Roxborough State Park and ONE location from CO-67

    • Access via Roxborough State Park

      • This route is shorter than the one via CO-67

      • The "NORTHENMOST" access point is the shortest hike to Trail #619

      • Follow Roxborough Dr

        • Go to either "Sandstone Run" or "Raven Run" 

          • WARNING: This cuts through private properties

        • Or, continue southbound on Roxborough Dr, until road becomes "Iron Bark Dr"

          • The "Carpenter Trail" crosses the road, south of "Brokenbow Run/W Sundance Trail"

          • You can also continue on "Iron Bark Dr", until it curves north and you T-intersect with the "Powerline Trail"

            • Take the "Powerline Trail" until it connects to Trail #619

    • Access via CO-67  (aka "N State Highway 67" and "Jarre Canyon Rd")

      • This route is longer than the one via Roxborough State Park

      • Driving along CO-67, turn onto "NF-513" (T-intersection)

      • From "NF-513" turn left onto "Forest Road 513A" (T-intersection)

      • "Forest Road 513A" T-intersects with Trail #800 - turn LEFT, onto Trail #800

      • If the trail/road splits into a Y-intersection, keep RIGHT

      • Stay on Trail #800, which follows parts of Bear Creek, to go to Trail #619

Waterton Canyon Closures

"Denver Water conducts road work annually, usually in early June, which requires closure of Waterton Canyon for approximately two weeks. During this time, the Indian Creek Trailhead and Roxborough State Park are available to start or end the Colorado Trail. "

• Source of quote: https://www.denverwater.org/recreation/waterton-canyon-strontia-springs-resevoir 

• https://www.denverwater.org/news (search page for Waterton Canyon closure/close/closing)

• Or call, Customer Care (Denver Water) at: 303-893-2444

Indian Creek Trailhead (Pike-San Isabel National Forest USFS trail #800)

If the Waterton Canyon Trailhead is closed, which does happen, my contacts may be willing to drive you to the Indian Creek Trailhead

• • This option requires an additional car-entry fee, to access the trailhead

  • Park access is not listed on their website, so assume "sunrise to sunset"

  • Access to Waterton Canyon, via Roxborough State Park, does not allow bikes

  • https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/psicc/recarea/?recid=12953 

    • Great tool to zoom in and view all trails and trail connections (scroll down to the Recreation Map)

      • Trail #800 is the Indian Creek Trail

      • Trail #1776 is the Colorado Trail

      • Trail #619 is the Colorado Trail Connection

        • This takes you to Waterton Canyon's connection to the Colorado Trail #1776

  • Get info about"

    • Trail and fees

    • Map legends

  • "The Indian Creek Trailhead is near the gate to the right of the parking area and accesses the Indian Creek Trail (#800) and Ringtail Trail (#699). After the trailhead, the trail splits and both directions will complete the loop. Taking the left fork, the trail goes uphill and contains the majority of the difficult sections. At approximately 1.75 miles, the trail crosses a social/unofficial trail; stay to the left and continue for a mile past a second social trail crossing. The main trail will take a sharp right at this point and heads north. At approximately half a mile, the trail will come to another junction; take the left fork to continue the loop. At approximately 1.5 miles up the trail, it will begin to descend in a north/northwesterly direction for another 1.5 miles. At the next junction, the trail goes straight ahead into Roxborough State Park or to the right to continue the loop. (Roxborough State Park does not allow bicycles within its boundaries except on this section.) Taking the right fork, the trail continues uphill for about 1.5 miles and then begins to descend back to the trailhead. The trail will cross two more junctions, at the first function take the left fork, and at the second take a right. "

    • Source of quote https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/psicc/recarea/?recid=12953 

  • 9VHX+MV Sedalia, Colorado