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Waterton Canyon Mountain Bike Trail
Littleton, Colorado
MTB TRAIL STATS
Avg Rating:    |
21 trail reviews |
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Status: updated 8/12/10 by gdyer3 |
Difficulty:  Beginner |
| Length: 17 miles | Global Rank: #708 |
| Tread: Fire Road | Configuration: Lollipop |
| Ridden: 200 | Wishlist: 78 |
| Avg. Speed: 6.53 mph | Avg. Time: 2hr 40min |
| Elevation Gain/Loss: +652/-568 ft |
Directions:
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Description: This is really two different trails. The first, the Waterton Canyon trail, is a wide gravel road that gradually climbs along the S. Platte River. This is a nice place to ride with the family and get some fishing in. The second trail is the Colorado Trail loop. This trail starts at the end of the gravel road, about 6 miles from the parking lot. Take this loop counter-clockwise and be sure to take a look at the map at the trailhead before you get started. This trail has a ton of switchbacks but it is all totally rideable. Lots of trees and very well maintained singletrack. This loop has a good bit of climbing (especially compared to the first 6 miles on gravel road). You'll probably climb a little over 1000 feet on this loop. A great workout and a very fun and scenic trail.
Description: This is really two different trails. The first, the Waterton Canyon trail, is a wide gravel road that gradually climbs along the S. Platte River. This is a nice place to ride with the family and get some fishing in. The second trail is the Colorado Trail loop. This trail starts at the end of the gravel road, about 6 miles from the parking lot. Take this loop counter-clockwise and be sure to take a look at the map at the trailhead before you get started. This trail has a ton of switchbacks but it is all totally rideable. Lots of trees and very well maintained singletrack. This loop has a good bit of climbing (especially compared to the first 6 miles on gravel road). You'll probably climb a little over 1000 feet on this loop. A great workout and a very fun and scenic trail.
added on June 18, 2003 by 
SIMILAR TRAILS
Riders who liked this mountain bike trail also liked:Ridge Trail in Bergen Park / Evergreen
Golden Gate Canyon State Park in Golden
Zippety Do Dah in Fruita
TRAIL REVIEWS review this trail
reviewed by maddslacker on March 15, 2011
Fireroad in...singletrack out. This is a good trail to ride with the family, as they can come back the fireroad while the adrenaline junkies come back the singletrack. However, it is closed for 2011 for work by the Denver Water Co.
reviewed by jrkronstein on November 11, 2010
Gravel road next to the Platte, lots of mountain goats. Great for out of town sea-level'ers.
reviewed by Gr8lizzard on September 14, 2010
The first 6-7 miles to the dam are great for family leisurely or beginner rides. Because of the group we were with we did not do anything more than just getting to the dam this time. Can't wait for it to open again.
reviewed by sdelano26 on July 2, 2010
The 6 mile road leading up to the dam will be closed for the better part of 2010 and most of 2011!!! Check out the following website for dates. http://www.denverwater.org/Recreation/WatertonCanyon/. So basicly the loop descibed here will not be accessible. You can still access the Indian Creek trail from the trailhead off of Highway 67 west of Sedalia (I think you have to pay $4 to park there). * Review edited 7/2/2010
* Review edited 7/2/2010
reviewed by papawheeler on August 15, 2009
The 6.5 mile ride up the road wasn't hard but it sure took forever to get to the good stuff. The dam at the end of the road was a cool sight to see. Take the roxborough loop counter clock wise. The uphill kicked my butt. It wasn't real hard I was just dragging today. Good trail if you can't spend all day riding. Started at 7:45 amand we were back at the car by 10:am
* Review edited 8/15/2009
reviewed by meh2u on July 27, 2009
I didn't like the first 7 miles of the ride. This is the portion that is a two lane fire road. However once you get past this part it becomes a very excellent single track that was very challenging in some spots but mostly enjoyable. Like the person that posted this trail said go counter clockwise. I went the other way and boy it was tough.
reviewed by flip8u on June 30, 2009
I don't mind the first 6 miles on the dirt road, it goes by quick and it's a beautiful canyon. The Roxborough Loop is fun with two good downhill sections. Most people don't make it past the dam so you usually feel pretty alone back there.
reviewed by BFD on August 3, 2008
The 6-7 mile fire road is a nice warm-up, take a breather at the dam and see some Big Horn Sheep...Take a deep breath and begin the ascent!
reviewed by CURLY007 on October 8, 2007
6 miles to get to the trail was nothing as the scenery was again amazing.....Lack of signs on the trail, so dont be fooled that the Colorado trail is a loop!...Thanks to Henry who maintains the trail we were saved from making a wrong turn to hell and back....Thank you..So glad to meet a true honest person up there...
reviewed by raleighman91 on July 27, 2007
The fire road is amazing everytime i go up there something makes me turn around right at the base of the dam
reviewed by Lancefan on July 26, 2007
The singletrack section must have seen some recent trail work beacuse it is in amazing condition.
reviewed by arnolda14 on June 6, 2007
When it's really, really hot, you ride the fire road up to the waterfall and soak in its mist. That much is amazing. Other than that the road portion is fairly unremarkable and crowded. Pretty lame imho but the waterfall makes up for that.
reviewed by BobinConifer on May 13, 2007
I like the Roxborough loop better than any of the other short trails that are "commuters" Yes the 6 miles up the river has a head wind weather you're coming up or down and it's not as fun as riding a chairlift or taking the shuddle up Monarch Pass but hey, it's close and The Roxborough Loop has a fun first climb with a couple of switchbacks and a great DH in the trees after you take the left at the Indian Creek Sign, with a bunch of great tight turns and refreshing creek crossings. There's one tough climb before you arrive at the downhill. It's not terribly long but it's a big v so you have to carry your speed all the way up or end up or you end up rocking back and forth too much and walking. The next intersection is the start of the DH which is a blast. A little boney in a few places but it's fast and most hikers can hear you coming from a long way out and usually clear the trail! The Tree! I always go to the right of the Tree which might be a little less forgiving but its straighter and I think lines me up better for the must make left turn.
Similar Trail: Apex
reviewed by Boots! on March 5, 2007
My husband and I did this trail for the first time last summer and loved it. We were a little turned off at first when we saw how crowded the parking lot was, but the trail in Waterton Canyon is big enough that it didn't seem too crowded. It's beautiful scenery and I highly recommend it!
* Review edited 3/5/2007
reviewed by yellowdman on December 7, 2006
I find this ride to be fun. I know it's 6 miles(12 mile loop) of gravel road but it's a great ride to help get your cadence up. Plus you can ride to the start of the Colorado Trail and then split off and do the Roxborough/Indian Trail loop to make the ride a lot more fun plus you add another few well worth it miles to your overall ride. There's always a breeze through the canyon and it always seems to be going against you no matter what. There's also good scenery, good fishing and you get to see some wildlife. It's a great place to take the family or the very very beginner so they can get use to riding in the dirt.
reviewed by Lancefan on December 2, 2006
Nice trail, except for the fire road, if you want more single track, try adding on indian creek.
reviewed by LilBeast on January 17, 2006
nice trail to take entry level friends. the first 6 miles is good for a warmup. as i am new to colorado the climb after the gravel road was challenging, but do-able. after making the first left at the top of the switchbacks there are some tough climbs and some quick drops, make sure you are in good gear. watch your wrists as you come along the last mile it is quite rocky and technical if you go fast. i loved the scenery!!!
Similar Trail: matthews/winters
reviewed by jbersch on January 11, 2006
Trek7's description pretty much nails it. Great ride. The 6 mile ride up the fire road is beautiful, then the real climbing begins. Not quite as steep as others, but pretty much 1000' straight up through many switchbacks. Nice singletrack through the trees. Make it to Lenny's rest then turn around or head left around the loop to the Roxborough Connection. RC connection to Indian Creek is an absolute blast. Many rocks and roots with nice sections of smooth singletrack.
* Review edited 7/15/2008
Similar Trail: Enchanted forest (Apex)
reviewed by Ratchet_Jack on September 22, 2005
Great trail. Gets very crowded as the day goes on. I have enjoyed this multiple times this summer. The first six miles are a good warm-up. It is a gravel road but look around and enjoy the scenery. We did see the bighorn sheep. On the Colorado Trail section. This trail has soft singletrack, tight singletrack, creek crossing, climbs, rocks and roots, and some technical areas. Multiple spurs should be explored at a later day. The return to the parking lot is down the same gravel road. Great to cruise and to get the feeling back in your hands. Less than 30 minutes from Parker, this is a great ride when you just have to get out and bang.
reviewed by Big_Alien on May 22, 2005
I agree with the reviews above but here's the deal with Waterton Canyon. I have gone on numerous "wildlife trails" seeing nothing wilder than the tread on my front tire. This so-called fire road is amazing. I have taken it just four times and seen non-human-shy big horn sheep that you could practically reach out and touch three times. From old beat up grandsheep to grazing females to frisky younger ones. I saw 5 great blue heron on one trip. Red tail hawks patrol the canyon. And lots of dear, who watch you casually without being stuck in your headlights. I could go on but you get the idea. No dogs allowed in the canyon and plentiful water make the wildlife comfortable with bikers and hikers. When you hit the dam, don't turn back -- at least go up to if not onto the Colorado Trail.
reviewed by Pain_Is_Relative on October 28, 2004
The 6 mile fire road start is a great warm up, but is a huge waste of time. I bought a mountain bike to go fast and jump off large rocks. This trail is more similar to a road ride. Like the Cherry Creek trail. For the mountain biker looking for great single tracks with fast sections and hairy turns, go somewhere else. This is a great trail for the family ride.
Similar Trail: Green Mountain
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