Centennial Cone
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Difficulty Rating (1-5 scale, 5 being the most difficult)
Physical: 3
Technical: 2.5
Navigational: 2
Centennial Cone is one of the newest parks in the Jefferson County Open Space system. It lies between Clear Creek and Golden Gate Canyons, ~10mi W of Golden. The main trail is a 12.1mi loop around the cone (seasonal closures require out-and-back for part of the year). The trails are mostly rolling, with a long, moderate descent/climb on the SE part, and they're of moderate technical difficulty.
The combination makes it very popular with equestrians and mountain bikers. To alleviate conflicts, there's an alternating use rule on weekends, bikers allowed on even-numbered days, runners/hikers on odd-numbered days, equestrians on either.
DTR will start at Mayhem Gulch - the closest of the three lots, just 15min from Golden - on Thursday evenings, and do an out-and-back. On weekends, we might meet at any of the three lots and do the complete loop.
Weather and seasons
Seasonal closure limit full use of the park year round. The park is closed for all but permitted hunters in Dec and Jan. Also, part of the park is closed, usually Feb - mid June, and usually the NW part, the Elk Range trail (the shorter way between the two upper lots). The trails are largely exposed, so avoid the area during thunder storms, and beware of winds. It is fairly run-able in snow and ice, so don't be afraid to go there int0 late Nov, or the early part of the year.
Driving Directions
There are three lots:
On Thursday evenings, we'll start from Mayhem Gulch and run an out-and-back. Climb 1.5mi. go rt at the first jct (1), and rt again onto the Travois trail (2). Run E along the rolling trail. Use your watch to determine when to turn around. It's faster coming back. So, for example, if you're running 1hr, turn around after about 35min. An option on the way back is to continue past the first left (2) another 0.2mi (3), and take the Juniper trail (red dashed arrow). It's only
On weekends, we'll usually run the entire loop. It's 12.1 mi around, 16.7 if starting from Mayhem Gulch.
On Thursday nights, DTR has different routes at each run. The different routes are designed so that we can accommodate runners of different speeds and still start/finish at about the same time. See more info on choosing the appropriate route for you.
Physical: 3
Technical: 2.5
Navigational: 2
Centennial Cone is one of the newest parks in the Jefferson County Open Space system. It lies between Clear Creek and Golden Gate Canyons, ~10mi W of Golden. The main trail is a 12.1mi loop around the cone (seasonal closures require out-and-back for part of the year). The trails are mostly rolling, with a long, moderate descent/climb on the SE part, and they're of moderate technical difficulty.
The combination makes it very popular with equestrians and mountain bikers. To alleviate conflicts, there's an alternating use rule on weekends, bikers allowed on even-numbered days, runners/hikers on odd-numbered days, equestrians on either.
DTR will start at Mayhem Gulch - the closest of the three lots, just 15min from Golden - on Thursday evenings, and do an out-and-back. On weekends, we might meet at any of the three lots and do the complete loop.
Weather and seasons
Seasonal closure limit full use of the park year round. The park is closed for all but permitted hunters in Dec and Jan. Also, part of the park is closed, usually Feb - mid June, and usually the NW part, the Elk Range trail (the shorter way between the two upper lots). The trails are largely exposed, so avoid the area during thunder storms, and beware of winds. It is fairly run-able in snow and ice, so don't be afraid to go there int0 late Nov, or the early part of the year.
Driving Directions
There are three lots:
- Mayhem Gulch - Take Clear Creek Canyon, hwy 6, 9.5mi W from the junction of highways 6, 58 & 93 in Golden. There's a paved lot on the right. The trail up is moderately steep, with the steepest part right at the bottom. http://g.co/maps/xrkf9
- West Access, 2234 Douglas Mountain Road, Golden 80403 - From the highway junction of 6, 58 & 93 in Golden, go W up hwy 6, Clear Creek Canyon, for 11.4mi to hwy 119, Peak-to-Peak hwy. Continue straight on hwy 119 for another 1/4mi. Turn rt on Douglas Mtn Dr. Climb the steep road for 1mi. Look for signs to the park and turn rt onto Centennial Cone Rd. Continue 0.2mi to the lot at the end of the road. http://g.co/maps/zcfha
- North Access (Robinson Hill), 4306 Camino Perdido, Golden 80403 - 1.3mi N of the junction of highways 6, 58 & 93 in Golden, go W up Golden Gate Canyon Rd, CR70. 8mi up, at the bottom of the first, long descent, turn lest on Robinson Hill. 1.1mi up, go left onto Camino Perdido. The lot is another 3/4mi up. http://g.co/maps/huknt
On Thursday evenings, we'll start from Mayhem Gulch and run an out-and-back. Climb 1.5mi. go rt at the first jct (1), and rt again onto the Travois trail (2). Run E along the rolling trail. Use your watch to determine when to turn around. It's faster coming back. So, for example, if you're running 1hr, turn around after about 35min. An option on the way back is to continue past the first left (2) another 0.2mi (3), and take the Juniper trail (red dashed arrow). It's only
On weekends, we'll usually run the entire loop. It's 12.1 mi around, 16.7 if starting from Mayhem Gulch.
On Thursday nights, DTR has different routes at each run. The different routes are designed so that we can accommodate runners of different speeds and still start/finish at about the same time. See more info on choosing the appropriate route for you.