March 2008 Bear Creek Trail update

Today we travel the fantastic Bear Creek Trail from Bear Creek State Park near Morrison to the Platte River confluence near Denver.

I used to ride out and back, but this time I took an RTD bus from Denver to single track paradise for $1.75. I caught an RTD #21 from Evans & Broadway, it heads up Jewell, then you get off at West Yale before Bear Creek Blvd near Morrison.

You ride downhill to Bear Creek Blvd. Then you head left (also downhill) to Morrison Road. Once you get to Morrison Road you turn right and continue downhill. You go about quarter mile along this path:















Then you cross the road to enter Bear Creek State Park single track system, less than a half mile from the bus stop. Home of many miles of superb single track.





















First you come to this gate:



















Then it's single track heaven:





















There are ample choices for the single track fan. They've added and named a bunch of new trails in Bear Creek Park.


To head down Bear Creek you must go over the dam at Bear Creek Lake.




Single track for bikes only? How's that knobby tire people? Yay!





















This one's well suited for Horses.





















Next to Bear Creek Lake is Mount Carbon which is part of a dam to retain excess runoff from the mountains.










































There are two ways over the Mt. Carbon dam. One is up the service road, shorter but steeper...





The other is on the longer but not so steep bike path. There's and older path made of asphalt and a new one made of concrete.



















From the top of Mt. Carbon if you look to the West you can see the top of Red Rocks Amphitheatre.







Once you reach the top there's a picnic table and restroom. looking East you can see the city of Denver on the horizon:





















Once you ride down the other side of the dam you'll see Bear Creek emerging from the base of the dam.



























You ride through the Fox Hollow Golf Course:

























Once you get past the golf course you're in the zone. On this day I rode the single track but shot pictures of the concrete path too.






































Sometimes the single track and concrete trails kiss.




















If it looks good now, wait till Summer!

Here's a map of the Bear Creek Trail system through Lakewood. Good times!

....and back on the trail.



Here's a new underpass. The trail used to cross the road, now it goes under. This is just outside Denver County so thank you Lakewood!

Looking West

Looking East.

Bear Creek Trail, country riding in the city. Sweet.

This sign says you're entering Denver City & County.

The white sign barely visible next to the pipe under the bridge says:

Notice Equestrians

Horses are not permitted on

Denver Parks

property and you

are now entering

Denver Parks

Property

We are passing Wadsworth, entering Denver.

Yay Denver!

The trail then goes through Sheridan and Englewood before entering Denver again along the Platte Trail North a few miles farther up @ Dartmouth.

The trail winds along through beautiful scenery. No more single track but the concrete path is really nice.

Of course I have to plug Mojo Wheels, the best bike shop in Denver, which is right on the trail. See them friendly folks for all your bicycling needs. I've had some service work done there and bought a bike there a few years ago but am not otherwise connected with Mojo Wheels.

http://www.mojowheels.com/
















Once in the city you cruise through some parks and neighborhoods.

























Then you come to the closed portion of the trail but the gate isn't closed all the way so I went on ahead to check it out.

















The trail meanders along for a quarter mile or so...















Then you reach the end of the line, over Bear Creek along the Platte river confluence.

The area ahead is getting built into a mall. "RIVER POINT AT SHERIDAN"
http://www.riverpointsheridan.com/

I found a Beaver Dam near the Bear Creek - Platte confluence. Pretty cool. Here's a couple pictures.

























The trail detour will probably last until Summer. Costco will open first in June, followed by Super Target in July. The 821,230 square foot mall which will occupy both sides of the Platte River right at the Bear Creek confluence will also feature a Regal Cinema, Chick-fil-A, Circut City and Carl's Junior.




































Waterfall on Bear Creek near the Platte confluence.













Platte Trail North.











Platte Trail South.



It's all good..