Clear creek trail grand canyon national park, arizona. Clear creek tunnel topo map in trinity county, california. Clear creek starts near the continental divide, very close to loveland ski area. The current peaks to plains trail in clear creek canyon is 3. Clear creek canyon is oriented in an eastwest direction, so the north and south sides of the canyon have very different vegetation. Clear creek canyon open space park provides almost 10 miles of access to gold bearing waterway for visitors. We are building a community that values sharing, free trade and security. If youre ever in the denver area, especially if you are going west on i70, you owe it to yourself to take the.
At the intersection of 58 and 93, head west into clear creek canyon. Canyon slopes north of clear creek face south and receive intense, highangle sunlight, causing soils to be dry and thin. Rock climbing in clear creek canyon, golden mountain project. Psa grocery shopping tips in covid19 see important notes below. Clear creek county, colorado mines western mining history. Classic colorado scenery with a creek running next to the road. The upper canyon tunnels 5 and 6 can be accesses from interstate 70 west, and exit 248. Clear creek canyon is a valley in colorado and has an elevation of 5732 feet. Cdot to move forward with environmental assessment for the i70.
This trail is popular for hiking, photography, rock climbing, and partying. Because of the harsh rocky mountain winters here, residents at these mining camps were forced to leave, and return each spring to resume mining. So, years ago, clear creek county open space and jeffco open space began to envision a trail through the canyon. East of idaho springs, clear creek soon parts with i70 cant make it over floyd hill. Much of clear creek is open to fishing from golden all the way west to georgetown. The clear creek trail starts at the bottom of the grand canyon, so you must use one of the parks three rimtoriver trails to access the trailhead. All mine locations were obtained from the usgs mineral resources data system. Put in below east of tunnel 1 at the large dirt pullout. It travels along i70, through the old colorado mining towns of georgetown, silver plume, and idaho springs. Clear creek tunnel map trinity county, california mapcarta. Bright angel creek 2600 phantom overlook 3600 tonto platform 4160 clear creek 3600 the trailhead for the clear creek trail is located about a half mile north of phantom ranch. Put in above west of tunnel 1 at the lower clear creek takeout but walk down below the diversion dam just below there. About a half mile north of phantom on the n kaibab, a small sign off to the right gets you on the trail.
Clear creek canyon georgetown 2020 all you need to know. Gold prospectors must adhere to open space regulations. Ideal section from sawatch range to brown canyon, showing the deep gravel filling in the old channel of the arkansas. The nearest weather station for both precipitation and temperature measurements is trinity river hatch which is approximately 2 miles away and has an elevation of 1,860 feet 650 feet lower than clear creek tunnel. Rock climbing clear creek canyon, 2nd edition fixed pin. Highway 6, multiple creek access locations for visitors, and two parking lots totaling.
Clear creek trail grand canyon national park 2020 all. Over two dozen new crags and nearly twice as many routes since the last guidebook have made clear creek one of the best sport climbing areas in the front range. Local activist and route developer darren mabe brings his love and knowledge of the canyon to. The explosion of route development the area is only making it more popular. Clear creek canyon is one of the primary destinations for front range sport climbers. In the canyon there are two country parks for hiking, biking, fishing and prospecting with paved parking and restroom facilities. The scenery combines green hills with granite cliffs, a rushing stream, tunnels, bridges with numerous pulloffs which allow you to take it all in. The 12 plus miles of clear creek offers a climbing challenge for both beginners and experts alike.
Ghosts of clear creek canyon colorado page 2 legends. I 70 back to denver had a fair amount of traffic so we decided to take route 6 back towards golden and get back on. Although this drainage is usually dry, water can flow when the conditions are right in zion. At the same time, clear creek was stocked with trout so that visitors could do a bit of fishing. Clear creek canyon mining would take a big hit and shut down with the silver market crash of 1893. Possibly most scenic canyon in colorado this place is a gem, and so accessible from denver. Interstate 70 twin tunnels colorado department of transportation. Blast down the lower canyon of clear creek and enjoy one of the most continuous sections of whitewater in colorado only 30 minutes from denver. Head down highway 40 west to route 6 and head east to tunnel 6 and 5. With nearly 30 new crags and over 300 new routes since the first edition of this book, clear creek continues to produce high quality routes and is in the running for. Mar 02, 2016 paddling the stunning lilly to nemo section within the obed national wild and scenic river at 810 cfs on 2272016.
Project description the project begins just east of the oxbow parcel parking lot, on the west side of tunnel 5 where the river corridor initiative funded trail project ends. Over two dozen new crags and nearly twice as many routes since the last guidebook have made clear creek one of the best. This newest guide to clear creek offers nearly 30 new crags and over 300 new routes since the first edition of this book. Clear creek is located on the east side of zion national park near the east entrance to the zionmt.
It was originally built as a mule trail so visitors at phantom ranch would be able to gain access to a scenic side canyon. Dogs wall on routes that were all named catdog related things. Johnson, for whom one of the tunnels along i70 was later named, was a primary force in persuading the planners of the interstate highway system to extend the highway across the state. The rangers are easy to spot, dressed in khaki slacks or shorts and green polo shirts with the words park ranger across the back. Clear creek visitor information city of golden, colorado.
The scenery combines green hills with granite cliffs, a rushing stream, tunnels. Feb 19, 2018 was set on doing segment 3 of the colorado trail today, but decided last minute to climb instead. It is a wash that runs along the side of the zionmt. A 15 minute drive up clear creek canyon provides great winter views and plenty of ice climbing opportunities less than 5 minutes from the road. With over 1,000 climbs in clear creek, theres plenty of terrain for beginners and pros alike. We believe in freedom, family, and the pursuit of happiness. You can start from the north rim and hike down the north kaibab trail, or opt to begin at the south rim and use either the bright angel or south kaibab trails. This is a great location for beginners looking to learn to ice climb near the comforts of denver or those looking to get a few pitches in after work. Clear creek continues to produce high quality routes and is in the running for one of the best sport climbing areas on the front range. Awesome clear creek canyon climbing areas for beginners. Below are weather averages from 1971 to 2000 according to data gathered from the nearest official weather station. At moderate flows this is a good intermediate run for those who also appreciate the scenery of the undeveloped river canyon. Overall, hiking in the kennerdell tract of clear creek state forest is something that we highly recommend.
With a mountain range of 14,000 foot peaks as its western boundary and approximately sixty linear miles of mainstream river water, it hosts a variety of natural habitats and wildlife populations. The clear creek trail was built in 1934 and 1935 by the civilian conservation corp company 818. Interstate 70 descending into clear creek canyon see also. However, clear creek canyon is an amazing canyon and this short trail gives you a rare opportunity to walk through a portion of it. Local activist and route developer darren mabe brings his love and knowledge of the canyon to this fullcolor work. Clear creek canyon historical society home facebook. The route is set in the 1930s when the route was operated by the colorado and southern. Colorado tunnel in clear creek canon sanborn souvenir co. Books are on their way to the stores, for now there is a shop copy at bent gate and also at. This was our drive through clear creek canyon just west of denver on august 9, 20. The museums and cemetery are maintained by the clear creek canyon historical society. The drive up clear creek canyon on route 6 winds along clear creek offering a pleasant drive up through the canyon. A drive along us highway 6 through clear creek canyon, colorado duration. From boulder, the best way to reach clear creek canyon is to take co highway 93 broadway straight south for about 25 minutes into golden.
Explore clear creek canyon rock climbing like it was meant to be explored, via our interactive trail map. Stop and stare at the cliffs and pretty soon youll be able to spot the rock. Clear creek is a tributary of the south platte river, approximately 66 miles 106 km long, in north central colorado in the united states. Beaver brook flows from squaw mountain and enters clear creek behind highway tunnel 2 through a narrow gorge. Clear creek institute promotes and circulates notable publications and productions. With the opening of a segment of the peaks to plains trail, bicycles are allowed in the canyon for the first time.
It very quickly gains altitude, but stay with it and you will be rewarded. Clear creek canyon park offers unique recreation experiences among its steep canyon walls and fast flowing creek. Cdot webcams golden webcams to blackhawk webcams clear creek canyon road webcams to blackhawk and all cdot web cams along that hwy 6 route. Clear creek canyon open space park prospecting tips. Clear creek canyon georgetown 2020 all you need to. It wasnt until 1859 when people discovered flakes of gold in it that europeans decided to rough it and flock to the land in the hopes of getting rich. Tap on a climb to see where its located in the image, or tap on a route bubble in the image to see what climb it is. The clear creek canyon from lilly bridge to the obed river confluence is only 1. Lets focus on some of the best beginner climbing areas in clear creek canyon, colorado. Clear creek canyon colorado 1871 colorado railroad. The turnoff usually has a sandwich board sign to mark the spot but either way, its a left turn at 5023 highway 119 at mile marker 5, or lat 39. Clear creek canyon ccc is aptly situated along clear creek, just west of golden.
Sometimes the wind seems to carry the voices of villagers, long since departed, as they tell tales around a winters fire. Along its walls ancient myths and legends are carved in stone or painted upon the rock. Clear creek is unusual in that it is a stream named creek. The canyon is most well known for its accesible wealth of sport climbs, with some trad climbs interspersed. This comprehensive and thorough guide is long overdue given the recent surge in route development.
Use caution when accessing the creek and engaging in highrisk activities such as rock climbing, kayaking and rafting. The locations and other information in this database have not been verified for accuracy. Ive been climbing outdoors for years, and clear creek canyon is my local sport crag. Then take a right, heading west on us 6 into clear creek canyon. There are various small side trails that take you down to the water. Passing through a narrow canyon with a series of tunnels, u. Clear creek park rangers patrol the creek banks, offer assistance when needed, and make sure people are following the rules while having fun and staying safe.
Beautiful clear creek canyon offers a scenic alternative to interstate 70 between golden and idaho springs. Clear creek canyon has long since been a goto after work and weekend destination crag for both the denver and boulder climbing community, and with the explosion of route development, the area is only becoming more popular. Clear creek trail is actually a group of trails that connect nearby neighborhoods to schools, the golden community center, the downtown area, and many popular spots. Mountain peaks of sawatch range at the head of lake creek, as seen from. Book online clear creek canyon gained notoriety during the colorado gold rush and remains popular today due to its worldclass sport climbing and outdoor adventure opportunities. Clear creek canyon in western utah tells many tales to those who stop and listen.
Judge francis carr powerhouse the judge francis carr powerhouse formerly clear creek powerplant is on clear creek at the outlet. Clear creek canyon sport climbers guide mark rolofson on. Couple of the tunnels on highway 6, clear creek canyon. Here i am standing in clear creek feeding a gold cube with an attached trommel photo credit. A good book for people who want to focus on sport climbing. Faster fact books financial management and budget flagger program.
From the trailhead, the trail climbs rather abruptly, with the aid of a few long switchbacks, to the base of sumner butte. There are several good day hikes out of phantom ranch. Clear creek canyon jefferson, colorado park, hiking. Pullouts can be found along the highway, and most approaches are about 510 minutes. Snow disappears quickly from these inclines after winter storms. Clear creek canyon map colorado, colorado mapcarta. In the early 1800s, european settlers found clear creek canyon to be much too difficult to transverse, discouraging transportation. Tunnel 5 tunnel 6 trail design project will continue the design of the trail between the two closed tunnels. Anglers must carry a valid colorado fishing license with habitat stamp.
Starting at its most western point, the trail follows clear creek past the rv park on the northern bank, and continues east past clear creek white water park, lions park, the library, golden city government. The interstate 70 twin tunnels, approximately one mile east of idaho springs, were. The route features that portion of the 3 foot gauge line starting in golden, colorado around 15 miles west of denver and heads west through clear creek canyon. Most other tributaries in the canyon, many of which are unnamed, are small and steep. The hiking is excellent, along with the scenery, second and third growth forests, historic remnants, and river gorge setting. Much of the clear creek history that people talk about has to do with the gold rush. Tunnel on us 6 in clear creek canyon location clear creek county, colorado status open to twolane traffic history built 1939 design tunnel dimensions total length. The dennison point overlook, which is the highlight that the trails lead to, is well worth the effort. The drive up clear creek and then north clear creek, goes through canyons and is a beautiful experience on its own. This put in allows you to run a handful of class iii rapids on the oxbow around the tunnel. Sketch map of brown canyon, showing its relation to the granite and the gravel. About 12 miles west of golden the line splits at forks creek.