Type: Paved Path/Trail, Loop/Out-and-back
Difficulty: 4 / 10
Altitude: 5,740 ft
Dog Friendly: Yes, with leash
Jog-Stroller Friendly: Unknown
Filed Under: Running
Located near the foothills to the Rocky Mountains, Bear Creek Lake Park boasts the presence of many kinds of wildlife, such as coyotes, deer, prairie dogs, and a multiplicity of birds. Occasionally, elk, bald eagles, and a variety of waterfowl also visit the park.
The uniqueness of Bear Creek Lake Park as a recreational facility in an urban setting is enhanced by numerous other activities offered. The park is open all year; park hours are listed but you can access the park on the bike path at any time.
WINTER November-March 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
SPRING/FALL April & October 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
SUMMER May-September 6:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
There is a park fee IF you park inside the park. If you follow the directions listed here for the suggested parking, there is no entry fee.
Park Entrance Fee $4 per car - general
$3 per car - senior 62 or older
Annual Pass (Jan - Dec) $40 general
$30 senior 62 older
This is a good trail system to ride when the foothills and mountains are covered in snow. Located just to the south of Green Mountain, it provides a close-in alternative for riders to get some exercise in the winter months. The non-paved trails are generally singletrack, although a few are shared with horses (with associated issues). There is one minor hill climb but many ups and downs throughout the park. There are a variety of trail options and directions, but given the size of the park, it is impossible to get lost here.
Main Route Trail Route (in blue on map): The run starts on the bike path across Morrison Rd. Run under C-470. Jog right across the first bridge, then an immediate left onto a single track. Run through the picnic area [1], cross the road, and pick up the trail on the other side. Continue following the path east along the south side of Bear Creek, around the horse fences and past the exercise stations. About 1.75mi from the start, the path curves right, loops back to the left, then leads to a large, dirt, parking lot. Cross the lot, staying to the right side. Head between the large rocks on the other side of the lot, then down the hill to the creek. The creek is easy to cross on rocks [2]. Go left on the trails and head to the road at the base of the mountain [3]. Go left on the road and follow it across the base of the dam. At the north end of the dam, go left on the single track and follow it back west along the edge of the lake. Cross through the fisherman's parking lot [5]. Just after the trees on the other side, go left onto the dirt path. Follow this back west, along the north side of Bear Creek. At the end of the trail, come up to the road, continue west past the tollbooth, onto the bike path, then back under C-470 to the finish.
You can also take the park road back. At the north end of the dam, go past the single track and around the chain to the road. Go left and take it all the way back. Or, at the fisherman's lot [5], go right out to the road (brown line), then left to the finish.
Advanced trail options (in red on map): At the picnic area [1], look for trails across the road to the right. Climb up the small plateau, then look for a trail on the left. Head around the horse fence and rejoin the main trail. At the base of Mt Carbon [3], climb the trail up the face. At the top, stay left and follow the trail along the north face. Before the dam, look for a short trail heading steeply down on the left. At the dam [4], take a sharp left, then right on the road at the base of the dam; or, take the road across the top of the dam, then left down the road at the north end. The advanced trails from Fisherman's Wharf [5] have changed.
Road route: Start under C-470 as above, but skip the first bridge. Continue straight onto the park road, and through the tollbooth. Stay left on the road (brown line) just past the tollbooth. About 2mi from the start, the road takes a sharp left, climbs up a steep hill, then curves right to the base of the dam. Short and intermediate runners should turn around after ~30 minutes. To add a little more distance, go left at the base of the dam and climb to the top. Continue down the back side to the golf course, or go right, across the top of the dam, before turning around. Faster runners should go right at the base of the dam. Take the road across the base of the dam. Continue south to the bike path (dark blue line). Go right and take the bike path all the way to the finish.
Directions: Take C-470 to Morrison Rd. Go west. Take the first right at Rooney Rd, then an immediate right into the dirt lot, across from the Conoco Station. To avoid C470 traffic from the north, stay on I70 to the Red Rocks exit, #259. Go south ~1mi. Take the first left and go over the hogback. Just after crossing over C-470, turn right onto Rooney Rd and go ~2mi. There\'s a bathroom in the Conoco station, and several in the park.
Yes, you can enter the park and park there, but you will then have to pay the entry fees. Parking outside the park and entering on the bike path avoids this.
Posted by: tradkelly and last modified on Feb 02, 2006 by thoos
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