Pogwatigue Perambulations: Waterton Canyon

Yesterday, I rode my bike in to the extreme southwestern extent of the Denver metro area. For such a long ride (70+ miles), I spent the vast majority of it off-road by mixing paved and dirt trails through various parks. After riding to and through Bear Creek Park, a venue I explored on a late 2011 ride, I ventured on a new trail which parallels the major freeway (C-470) that circles the city. A few miles later, I turned west and passed between the imposing Dakota Ridge formation and followed a couple dirt trails in the South Valley Park, which is full of dramatic rock formations related to Garden of the Gods and Red Rocks.

Back on the east side of the Dakota Ridge, I rode a loop around Hildebrand Ranch Park and then continued south to my ultimate goal, Waterton Canyon. The local water authority controls access to the canyon. They own a dam six miles up the South Platte River and allow the public to use the dirt access road along which they have installed recreation amenities. I found the view at the end of the road a little underwhelming, but a did find interest in a herd of mountains goats grazing nearby.
Full Screen Version

Looking for a more satisfying rest stop, I rode further south along a trail that continues from the end of the road. Exhausted and not seeing any hopeful signs, I plopped down to rest and refuel on the first bench I found. A conversation with some mountain bikers passing along the trail informed me that there was indeed a 'top' with a nice 'view' ten to fifteen minutes uptrail. Even padding the estimate for my experience level, I waged it worth continue the ride that far. It was a tough slog up the mountain bike trail, but I did better and rode more of it that I expected. I found the top, but had to continue on foot up a side trail to find the view, which looked in to Bear Creek Valley.

The descent back down the mountain bike trail was a novel experience, certainly much more fun than going up. I rode out of the canyon the same way I entered. and then found a new trail in Chatfield State Park, which took me to the top of the dam that creates a large reservoir along the South Platte River. I wished I could have ridden more trails, especially the one across the dam, in this park, but it was late and I had to press hard to finish the ride at a respectable hour. The last dozen miles mostly followed the river, which but for the swarms of bugs was a pretty nice way to end the day.

Trip Statistics
Length: 72.2 miles
Total Time: 9 hours 57 minutes

Avg. Speed: 9.4 MPH
Max. Speed: 27.2 MPH
Total Ascent: 3,800 ft.
Max Elev.: 6,579 ft.

Elevation Profile