(Sign at Kenosha Pass - Segments 5/6 - Feb 2006)    

Looking for Trailheads Information and Directions?

Segments 1-10

Segment 1
Start - Waterton Canyon

Drive south from HWY C470 at the Wadsworth exit. This is also the exit for Chatfield State Park. Drive past Chatfield for 4.3 miles. Here you will take a left, following the signs to Waterton Canyon. If you do not turn you will immediately come to the secure gates of Lockheed Martin and will be turned around. After turning left, you will turn almost immediately into the parking area (on the left). This is a large day use area, especially on the weekends and in the warmer months.
Segment 2
Start - South Platte River TH

From Denver - Take HWY 285 in the town of Conifer. Just past the center of town take the exit for Foxton Rd (right). Immediately come to a stop sign and turn left to pass back under the HWY. Go right and then come to another stop sign and turn left onto Foxton Rd. Follow this paved road for about 8 miles where you come to the intersection with Jefferson County Rd 96. Turn left on the now dirt road. Follow this road - along the South Platte river for 5 miles where you will reach the old South Platte Hotel (see the photos section for photos of the old hotel). Take a curve to the right past the old Hotel and pass over a bridge. 1/10 of a mile past this bridge is the South Platte River TH and the Gudy Gaskill bridge. This is the end of segment 1 and the start of segment 2.
Segment 3
Little Scraggy TH
From Denver - From the HWY 285/C-470 interchange near Denver take HWY 285 south for 21 miles to the town of Pine Junction, CO. Turn left  (South) at the light in Pine Junction onto HWY 126. Drive on this paved road for 13 miles until you reach FS 550 (gravel) on your right. Turn right onto FS 550. Immediately after you run right the TH is on your right. There is a large parking area (probably holds 50 cars) and a bathroom.

Segment 4
Rolling Creek TH

From Denver - Drive south on HWY 285 to the town of Bailey, CO. Turn south in Bailey, CO onto County Road 68. This is a paved road that quickly changes to gravel but is accessible by passenger car. Drive 5 miles where you reach a “Y” in the road. Continue right toward Wellington Lake. Drive 3 more miles to a small parking area on the right. This is the lower parking area for the trailhead. Most vehicles will be able to continue up a small road for a few 100 yards to the actual trailhead at 8,500ft. Both the upper and lower parking areas have enough room for 10-15 cars.

Segment 5
Start - Near Long Gulch TH
From Denver - From the intersection of HWY 285 and C-470, drive about 45 miles to Kenosha Pass. Continue driving over the pass for 3 miles to a well marked left turn onto Lost Park Road. This is a grated dirt road. Follow this road for 11.5 miles to a left hand turn at FS 817. Proceed 0.2 miles up this road to a dead end that is the Long Gulch TH. The CT is still a 0.2 mile hike up the trail from the TH.
NOTE: Cars can easily drive to this TH - even the 0.2 miles up FS 817
NOTE: Only the first 2 miles of the Lost Park road are maintained in winter

Here is a photo of the turnoff for FS 817 - it is marked with a FS marker

Here are photos of the Long Gulch TH:

Alternate - Rock Creek TH
From Denver - From the intersection of HWY 285 and C-470, drive about 45 miles to Kenosha Pass. Continue driving over the pass for 3 miles to a well marked left turn onto Lost Park Road. This is a grated dirt road. Follow this road for 7.5 miles and there will be a turn to your left for the Colorado Trail/Ben Tyler Trail. Drive on this 4x4 road for 1 mile to the Rock Creek TH (on the right)
NOTE: The 1 mile you drive up to the TH off of Lost Park Road is NOT a maintained road. Its a rougher 4x4 road. In July 2009 -  I did drive my Subaru Outback up it without any issues but there are ruts and places where you need to pay attention to wheel placement.

Segment 6
Start - Kenosha Pass
From Denver - From the intersection of HWY 285 and C-470, drive about 45 miles to Kenosha Pass. The Colorado Trail is clearly marked on the right side of the pass and there is ample parking for 40-50 cars.

Segment 7
Start - Gold Hill TH
From Denver - Drive west on I-70 to exit 203. This is the Frisco exit. Exit at exit 203 and go around a roundabout and head down CO9. As you head back over the interstate the first light you come to is the intersection with Lusher Court. Start calculating from there. Continue on CO9 for exactly 6 miles and the Gold Hill TH is on the right hand side of the road at Gateway Drive. The TH is clearly marked. There is parking here for about 20 cars.

Segment 8
Segment 9
Segment 10