Deer Creek Canyon

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Difficulty Rating (1-5 scale, 5 being the most difficult)
Physical: 4
Technical: 3
Navigational: 3
Deer Creek frequently ranks as the favorite trail amongst DTRs. The upper trails are mostly forested, giving a sense of being in a distant forest, yet close to town. The Red Mesa Loop is one of the best trail segments in the front range. The hiker only Homesteader trail is about the best 1mi trail running segments. It's a steep climb to get up to these segments, including climbing up the extremely steep and rocky "Wall."
Weather and Seasons
The upper trails are mostly shaded, so hold snow and ice through the winter, so traction devices are strongly recommended. The Meadowlark and lower part of Plymouth Creek are exposed and largely clay, so can be very muddy when wet. However, after a decent snow, it's a great place to run or snowshoe. When it's windy in the plains, it can be calm and protected once in the trees.
Driving Directions
From the N, take C-470 to Kipling. Go right, then a quick right onto Ute. Follow Ute back to the W, then left down the hill. At the bottom, merge right on Deer Creek. 1.9mi up, turn left onto Grizzly. Go up the hill, then right into the lot.
Alternate, take C-470 to Ken Caryl. Go right, W, into the valley. Go left at the fork, at the light. Follow S. Valley Rd for 2mi. Turn left down Valley Rd. At the bottom, turn right onto Deer Creek for 3/4mi. Turn left up Grizzly, then right into the lot.
From the E and DTC, take C470 to Wadsworth. Turn left, under the highway. Take the first right onto Deer Creek Cyn Rd. 2mi up, stay left at the fork, into the canyon. Another 1.9mi up, turn left onto Grizzly. Go up the hill, then right into the lot.
Make your own map at http://g.co/maps/qcus8
Running routes: These are among the longest routes we run on Thursday evenings, approx 1:30-1:40. We start up and return down the hiker only Meadowlark trail, to the right of the bathrooms. We'll split into different groups/routes on the upper trails.
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: 4
Technical: 3
Navigational: 3
Deer Creek frequently ranks as the favorite trail amongst DTRs. The upper trails are mostly forested, giving a sense of being in a distant forest, yet close to town. The Red Mesa Loop is one of the best trail segments in the front range. The hiker only Homesteader trail is about the best 1mi trail running segments. It's a steep climb to get up to these segments, including climbing up the extremely steep and rocky "Wall."
Weather and Seasons
The upper trails are mostly shaded, so hold snow and ice through the winter, so traction devices are strongly recommended. The Meadowlark and lower part of Plymouth Creek are exposed and largely clay, so can be very muddy when wet. However, after a decent snow, it's a great place to run or snowshoe. When it's windy in the plains, it can be calm and protected once in the trees.
Driving Directions
From the N, take C-470 to Kipling. Go right, then a quick right onto Ute. Follow Ute back to the W, then left down the hill. At the bottom, merge right on Deer Creek. 1.9mi up, turn left onto Grizzly. Go up the hill, then right into the lot.
Alternate, take C-470 to Ken Caryl. Go right, W, into the valley. Go left at the fork, at the light. Follow S. Valley Rd for 2mi. Turn left down Valley Rd. At the bottom, turn right onto Deer Creek for 3/4mi. Turn left up Grizzly, then right into the lot.
From the E and DTC, take C470 to Wadsworth. Turn left, under the highway. Take the first right onto Deer Creek Cyn Rd. 2mi up, stay left at the fork, into the canyon. Another 1.9mi up, turn left onto Grizzly. Go up the hill, then right into the lot.
Make your own map at http://g.co/maps/qcus8
Running routes: These are among the longest routes we run on Thursday evenings, approx 1:30-1:40. We start up and return down the hiker only Meadowlark trail, to the right of the bathrooms. We'll split into different groups/routes on the upper trails.
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.