Clear Creek Trail runs between the Platte River Trail in Denver and (near) the Coors Brewery in Golden, CO. And the last time I checked, the Coors brewery offered free tours w/ free beer samples. That sounds a bit like a pot o’ gold at the end of the rainbow to me. Or in this case, a mug o’ gold at the end of the trail.
The trail itself is a bit of gold. It is like an oasis in the middle of the urban landscape. It has creekside scenery, urban diversions, and can be combined with the C-470, Bear Creek, and Platte River Trails to make a pretty appealing loop ride.
If going out-and-back, I prefer starting at the Platte River Trail in Denver. That way, I can ride my bike uphill for the first half of the trip and save the downhill for the finale. In fact, a great ride is to start near Union Station in Denver, head north on the Platte River Trail until you get to the Clear Creek Trail (The turnoff is past the Sand Creek Trail turnoff and just after you cross a fairly large bridge.), then make a left and head west toward the mountains. The trail is 99% off road, but there is one place where you have to cross a major street. This is especially frustrating since there appears to be an underpass there, but for some reason, it’s always closed.
Clear Creek Trail takes you almost into downtown Golden and soon it will take you all the way there. If you’ve still got lots of energy, you could head south, catch the C-470 Trail, then tie that into the Bear Creek Trail in Morrison, and eventually make one big loop. Notice I said “you” could do that. It would be too much for me unless it involved an overnight. Come to think of it though, an overnight in Golden would be kind of nice. I wonder if they’d let me do the Coors beer tour two days in a row?
3 comments
Author
Thanks to Peter for the following update on Jan. 19, 2015:
There is a detour between lowell and Pecos on the clear creek path. The area closed is only 50 ft long it is a access road for the light rail construction. Is there any reason there can’t be a person to flag the traffic rather than close the path for over one mile. The roads required to ride on for the detour can be very dangerous.
Author
Thanks to Joe for the following information/comment. Just a reminder, it’s great to hear from Trailsnet users, but the best way to share your concerns is via this comments section rather than via email. That way other like-minded individuals can join the conversation:
I am an avid bicyclist that uses the Clear Creek Trail. I am discouraged at the lack of a proper detour, between Federal and Pecos, along 64th Avenue. What is going on here? I have ridden many multi-use trails, that have been under construction, and they were equipped with proper detours running along the trail under construction. Why is this trail and area any different? Does anybody care? I’m sure I will never hear a response, but at least wanted to vent my frustration, in regards to the portion of the Clear Creek Trail that has been under constant construction for the last year, without a proper detour. Get it done right! This is a major trail system to Downtown Denver, and most of us bikers are smart…we don’t wanna ride with the crazy drivers along the roads. Thank you.
On June 3, 2016, a Trailsnet reader asked, “Are there construction detours on the path at any point between Golden and the Platt river trail?”
If anyone knows the answer to that question, please reply below. Thank you.