Beaver Brook
Difficulty Rating (1-5 scale, 5 being the most difficult)
Physical: 3 from the bottom, 2 from the top
Technical: 3.5
Navigational: 2
Beaver Brook trail connects the Chimney Gulch trail on the E end, in Golden, to the Chavez trail in Genesee. The trail overlooks Clear Creek Canyon much of the way. Both ends of the trail are pretty rocky, and the W end is very steep. The middle is nice and rolling, somewhat downhill out and uphill back. It's ~8.5mi from Windy Saddle in Golden, to the W end in Genesee.
DTR starts at Lookout Mtn Park or Beverly Heights Park on Thu evenings. On Sundays we may start at Windy Saddle Park.
Weather and Seasons
The trail is mostly N facing and shaded, so it is often icy from late fall through winter, and muddy in the spring.
Driving Directions
There are three starting places on the Golden side
Running Routes
This is an out-and-back route, regardless of where you start. Use your watch to determine where to turn around.
Physical: 3 from the bottom, 2 from the top
Technical: 3.5
Navigational: 2
Beaver Brook trail connects the Chimney Gulch trail on the E end, in Golden, to the Chavez trail in Genesee. The trail overlooks Clear Creek Canyon much of the way. Both ends of the trail are pretty rocky, and the W end is very steep. The middle is nice and rolling, somewhat downhill out and uphill back. It's ~8.5mi from Windy Saddle in Golden, to the W end in Genesee.
DTR starts at Lookout Mtn Park or Beverly Heights Park on Thu evenings. On Sundays we may start at Windy Saddle Park.
Weather and Seasons
The trail is mostly N facing and shaded, so it is often icy from late fall through winter, and muddy in the spring.
Driving Directions
There are three starting places on the Golden side
- Lookout Mountain Park - It's about 5mi up Lookout Mountain Rd, from hwy 6 in Golden. From Denver, it's faster to get there via I70 to exit 256, Cabrini Shrine. Go W on US 40, the frontage road. Take the first right on Paradise Rd. In 0.3mi turn left on Charros Dr. In 0.6mi turn right on Lookout Mtn. The lot is 1.5mi on the left. Meet in the dirt lot along Lookout Mtn Rd. There's a bathroom at the park. http://g.co/maps/56wsp
- Beverly Heights Park - 1/2mi up Lookout Mountain Rd, from 6, in Golden. There's a few parking spots on the gravel, and plenty of parking along the park side of the road. There is a porta-potty at the park. http://g.co/maps/qbrn9
- Windy Saddle - About 3mi up Lookout Mtn Rd, from hwy 6, in Golden. There's a small, paved lot along a relatively flat section of the road. There are no facilities at this lot. http://g.co/maps/s44rc
Running Routes
This is an out-and-back route, regardless of where you start. Use your watch to determine where to turn around.
- Lookout Mountain Park - Look for a trail on the W end of the dirt lot. Go ~0.2mi on the smooth trail. Stay rt at the fork (1). Go 0.6mi down the Chimney Gulch trail. The first 0.3mi is fairly smooth and gradual, then there are some steep and rocky sections and switchbacks. Turn left onto the Beaver Brook trail (4), on a steep & rocky descent (Chimney Gulch continues to the rt). Remember this turn for the way back! There are a couple of boulder fields to cross near the beginning of BB. After that it's a nice, rolling trail, somewhat downhill on the way out. It's slower coming back, so judge your turn around time accordingly.
- Beverly Heights Park - Start up the road for 1/2mi. Please stay along the far left side of the road, in single file, and watch for cars. Go left onto the Chimney Gulch trail. It's a mix of rocky and fairly smooth, steep and mild. 1.5mi up the trail, cross the road at Windy Saddle and go through the lot across the road. Continue on the trail for another 1/4mi. Once you get into the trees, it's off camber and quite rocky. Midway up a steep pitch, go right onto the Beaver Brook trail (Chimney Gulch goes left). Remember this turn for the way back! There are a couple of boulder fields to cross near the beginning of BB. After that it's a nice, rolling trail, somewhat downhill on the way out. It's a bit slower coming back to Chimney Gulch, the faster down, so judge your turn around time accordingly.
- Windy Saddle Park - Take the trail out the back of the lot for 1/4mi. Once you get into the trees, it's off camber and quite rocky. Midway up a steep pitch, go right onto the Beaver Brook trail (Chimney Gulch goes left). Remember this turn for the way back! There are a couple of boulder fields to cross near the beginning of BB. After that it's a nice, rolling trail, somewhat downhill on the way out. It's a bit slower coming back, so judge your turn around time accordingly.