Filed Under: Hiking, Running
A singletrack loop right at the geologically significant Dakota Ridge/Red Rocks formation. The run starts at the Matthew-Winters trailhead right off CO-26/CO-93, run across the road to the Dakota Ridge trailhead. Run up the steep dirt path, and be sure not to leave the trail as there is a shooting range adjacent to the trail. The trail is rocky, so be sure to watch your foot placement. It continues along the ridge, and then empties you out on CO-26. Cross the road and continue on the trail (marked). It desends until you come to CO-93. Cross the road and run down the road about 50 feet from the road crossing. You'll then come to the Red Rocks Trail. Continue on the trail - and stay on that one. There are trails that break off from the Red Rocks Trail, but stay on it. It goes through a short climb with switchbacks, but is fairly level for the last 2 miles. Continue until you hit the parking lot where you started from.The nearest towns are Morrison and Golden. The trail head is 0.25 miles south of the Morrison Exit of I-70.
If you're coming from Denver, get on I-70 west, and exit at the Morrison exit. Continue south for a 0.25 miless and park at the Matthew-Winters parking lot. If that's full, park at the Stegasaurus lot across the street near the Dakota Ridge trailhead.
If you're coming from Golden, take US-6 and make a right (west) on US40 (Colfax Ave.). Continue as you go under I-70, and then follow the directions above.
If you're coming from Boulder, take CO-93 to US-6 and follow the directions above.
If you're coming from south Denver, take C470, and exit at Morrison. Continue to Morrison and head out on CO-93 and park at the trail head.
Posted by: lenticular and last modified on Feb 16, 2007 by sean
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