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Order Completed 0 Out of 28SegmentNameDescriptonDate PlannedDate Completed: 0CityDifficulty
Estimated Hours
63:00:00
Estimated Ascent
12055		Estimated Miles
177.76		Bike or WalkActual Time Logged
0:00:00		Ascent Logged
0		Miles Logged
0		Planning NotesTrail Notes (Post)Relive Page
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1Golden to Apex ParkDowntown Golden,
Lookout Mountain, and Apex Park		GoldenVery Strenuous5:20:00229011.2WalkWalk along the Clear Creek Trail through the heart of Golden, Colorado. Climb Lookout Mountain for expansive views of the whole region. Pay a visit to the Buffalo Bill Museum at the summit. Descend through the rolling mountain meadows of Apex Park. Parking at the summit may allow you to split this tough segment in two very easily.
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2Apex Park to Morrison ParkRed Rocks ParkGoldenStrenuous3:47:0013027.8WalkClimb the 'hump' of Dinosaur Ridge and through Matthews/Winters Park up the Morrison Slide. Challenging efforts are rewarded with spectacular views in all directions. Descend into Red Rocks Park, and take your time exploring the amphitheater and the iconic red rocks on the awesome Trading Post Trail. Segment ends near vibrant downtown Morrison, Colorado.

** Jefferson County advises that the northernmost trail up and over the first hump is an unofficial trail and not formally authorized. As always, use caution and be mindful of trail conditions. **
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3Morrison Park to Bear Creek Lake ParkDowntown Morrison
and Bear Creek Lake Park		MorrisonEasy0:58:0032.96WalkWalk along the main drag of Morrison, passing lively restaurants and shops galore. A short walk out of downtown, enter the hidden gem of Bear Creek Lake Park. Dirt paths and trails bring you through field and forest to a special scenic spot, right on the lakeshore.
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4Bear Creek Lake Park to Ken Caryl RanchBear Creek Lake Park
and C-470 trail		lakewoodModerate2:05:005286Walk* The entirety of Black Bear Trail, which connects Deer Creek Canyon Park and Hildebrand Ranch Park, is closed from February 1 through July 31 to protect nesting birds of prey. (Read more here). As such, it's not possible to walk this segment (or at least between mile 3.0 and 9.2) during this time. To complete a DOT-like circuit, you might be able to walk down Deer Creek Canyon Road, enter Hildebrand Ranch Park at its north trailhead along the road, and follow park trails to meet back up with the DOT. This would involve two miles of walking along a high-speed and curvy road with little shoulder; we recommend just waiting until July 31.**
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5Ken Caryl Ranch to Deer Creek CanyonSouth Hogback Open
Space, South Valley Park, and Deer
Creek Canyon Park		LittletonModerate1:59:006634.9WalkAfter a short walk along Ken Caryl Ave, turn south on the Cathy Johnson Trail, heading up a small valley. Head through a pass and explore a garden of large rock formations. Continue through a grassy meadow towards the mountains and finish with a brief ascent to Deer Creek Canyon Park, where you can look back on almost everything the entire segment.
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6Deer Creek Canyon to Chatfield State ParkPlymouth Mountain,
Hildebrand Ranch Park, and
Chatfield State Park		LittletonVery Strenuous5:26:00168611.6WalkA beast of a segment! Start by hiking up Plymouth Mountain, where you're rewarded with spectacular views of the entire Denver region. Enjoy it - this is the last 'mountain' segment until 28! Descend from near the summit into Hildebrand Ranch Park, where there's one more 'hump' to climb over. From the summit of this one, the view of the state park is awesome. Finally, follow through rolling meadows to Chatfield, where the segment ends.

** The entirety of Black Bear Trail, which connects Deer Creek Canyon Park and Hildebrand Ranch Park, is closed from February 1 through July 31 to protect nesting birds of prey. As such, it's not possible to walk this segment (or at least between mile 3.0 and 9.2) during this time. **
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7Chatfield State Park to Plum Valley ParkChatfield State ParkLittletonModerate2:03:003026.5WalkExplore the best of Chatfield State Park on this segment! Follow around the shores of the reservoir, gradually ascending up to the dam. Walk along the top, with incredible vistas of the mountains to the west and Downtown Denver to the north. Continue around the reservoir, carefully cross a railroad, and meet up with the High Line Canal. A short bit of road walking brings you to the excellent and scenic trails network of Highlands Ranch.
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8Plum Valley Park to Red-Tail ParkDouglas County Open SpaceHighlands RanchModerate2:20:006896.5WalkA real treat, taking you around the outskirts of Highlands Ranch, just far enough way to feel immersed in wilderness. Enjoy miles of scenic walking through incredible rolling meadow and scrubland landscapes along the East-West Trail. Segment ends with a gentle climb towards Highlands Point, the highest spot around.
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9Red-Tail Park to Highland Heritage Regional ParkHighlands Point and
Big Dry Creek Trail		Highlands RanchModerate1:33:001774.3WalkA segment of two beautiful halves. The first half, continue in the incredible rolling hills wilderness around Highlands Point, offering excellent views in all directions. Divert over to the point itself for a 360-degree vista of as far away as Longs Peak. In the second half, descend onto the Big Dry Creek Trail, following the pleasant and lush greenway through neighborhoods to Highland Heritage Regional Park.
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10Highland Heritage Regional Park to RidgeGate Parkway StationBluffs Regional ParkLone TreeModerate2:05:005125.9Ride​Head south along the Big Dry Creek Trail at first, but soon leave it for the unpaved trails of Bluffs Regional Park. A short, but steep, climb brings you to the top of the bluffs, which feels like a whole other world of rolling grazing meadows. Wind your way along the top of the bluff before a picturesque descent into the valley of I-25.
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11RidgeGate Parkway Station to Bar CCC ParkEast/West Regional
Trail to Cherry Creek Trail		ParkerModerately Strenuous2:47:004767.5Bike​A segment that truly makes you feel like you're in the middle of nowhere! Follow the East/West Regional Trail through some dramatic scenery and gentle elevation changes, exploring a part of the region that feels relatively untouched, save for the power lines running overhead. Soon enough, join up with paved greenways through residential neighborhoods as you get closer to Parker and join up with the Cherry Creek Trail. Fun fact: the intersection of the East/West Regional Trail and the Cherry Creek Trail is the point on the DOT furthest from Downtown Denver!
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12Bar CCC Park to Arapahoe Road TrailheadSouth Cherry Creek
Trail		AuroraModerate2:09:00437.2BikeThe Cherry Creek Trail is so long we need two segments to get you to the reservoir! This segment follows the trail the whole way as the scenery gradually changes around you: cross under bridges, pass by streams and lakes, and explore great neighborhood parks on the way. A lovely and easy-to-follow segment.
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13Arapahoe Road Trailhead to Cherry Creek State ParkCherry Creek Trail to
Cherry Creek State Park		AuroraModerate2:37:002208.4Bike​After a short stretch along paved greenways and neighborhood sidewalks, the entirety of this segment is in Cherry Creek State Park. Explore areas few visitors get to, walking along a historic railroad bed through lush vegetation in the south half of the park. Finally, take in the views as you walk halfway around the lake, a stunning delight that does not get old.

Plan to tackle 13-15 all together — but will likely go in reverse, so we can end at Cornerstar, for an easier pickup. Bribe one of the kids with lunch for picking us up!
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14Cherry Creek State Park to Toll Gate Creek TrailCherry Creek Spillway,
Horseshoe Park, and Toll Gate
Creek Regional Trail		AuroraEasy1:29:00794.7BikeTake in lovely views of the mountains in the distance overlooking the open space of Cherry Creek State Park. Follow pleasant linear greenways through varied surroundings; enjoy crossings over running water, woodland, and open meadows. Stop in any of several parks for a picnic along the way.
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15Toll Gate Creek Trail to Chambers CentreToll Gate Creek
Regional Trail to High Line Canal		AuroraEasy0:54:00493Bike​Walk the Toll Gate Creek Regional Trail and High Line Canal through the neighborhoods of Aurora. See sweeping meadow vistas in large open spaces along the way. Stay off main roads and discover hidden gems, like a small pond and the historic Coal Creek Schoolhouse.
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16Chambers Centre to Sand Creek Regional GreenwayHigh Line Canal,
Morrison Nature Center, and Sand
Creek Trail		AuroraEasy1:25:00824.7WalkFollow the High Line Canal past flowers, fields of soccer and football players, pens with farm animals, and interpretative signs to learn more about the natural and built environment around you. Cross through the hidden gem Morrison Nature Center. Follow the Sand Creek Trail, elevated over the creek to your right through lovely grass and woodland surroundings.
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17High Line Canal to First Creek TrailHigh Line Canal to
First Creek Trail		AuroraEasy1:53:00696.3Bike** The High Line Canal along Tower Road is currently under construction but will open soon. In the meantime, walking this segment requires just sticking along sidewalks on Tower Road. Read more here. ** Start and end on Tower Road, but avoid it as much as possible. Follow the brand-new sections of the High Line Canal in Aurora, including a new footbridge over I-70 (one of two crossings on the DOT). The canal brings you to a residential area, where sidewalks bring you to the awesome First Creek Trail, with water features, play areas, forested picnic areas, and more. It's extremely pleasant and beautiful.

Bikable — If the route requires staying on the tower — it is likely better to walk — if construction is complete, then biking would work - since 18 is a walk — could combine these two with a break in the middle.
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18Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife RefugeRocky Mountain
Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge		DenverModerate2:25:00898BikePass several lakes, take in as much opportunity as possible for wildlife viewing, and admire the mountains towering in the distance over the grassland in the foreground. It’s pretty varied as you go, with patches of flowers, trees, water, and grass all intermixed. Ladora Lake and Lake Mary are particular highlights on this crossing of the wildlife refuge on foot.​
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19RMANWR to Northfield CenterNorthfield Greenways
and neighborhood parks		Commerce CityEasy1:07:001123.6BikeA nice and short segment, an easy walk through green parks lined by new-build houses, with enough about it to keep things interesting as you go. Follow along the central avenue of park space through the redeveloped Stapleton Airport site, a lush green walk good for all.
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20Northfield Center to Commerce City & 72nd StationSand Creek to Platte
River		DenverEasy1:43:00625.6BikeA segment that looks worse on a map than it is! Follow the Sand Creek Trail along I-270, but with enough separation that it's very pleasant for walking, offering frequent views of the flowing Sand Creek. Pass several factories and a zone of stinky air - all part of the gritty experience of passing through this part of the DOT! Soon enough, reach the urban oasis that is the Platte River Trail.
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21Commerce City & 72nd Station to King Ranch ParkPlatte River Trail to
Riverdale Regional Park		DenverModerate2:39:001718.8BikeA straight shot, a gorgeous jaunt, along the Platte River Trail. A segment that's frequently beautiful, with many - and varied - water views. Discover cool bridges. Enjoy an oasis that feels miles from civilization at times. A real treat.
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22King Ranch Park to Eastlake & 124thHorizon Tributary Trail
to Lee Lateral Ditch and Signal
Ditch Trails		BrightonModerate2:00:002726.3BikeLots to discover here. Enjoy some slight ascents and descents that create pretty views through King Ranch. Walk through several parks and open spaces, pass the gem that is Marshall Reservoir, and enjoy the incredibly gorgeous Lateral Ditch and Signal Ditch trails.
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23Eastlake & 124th to Big Dry Creek & 112thSignal Ditch Trail,
Hunters Glen Lake, and Big Dry
Creek Trail		ThorntonModerate2:14:001747.2Bike​Walk around Hunters Glen, a real treat with the mountains to the west visible in the distance. A short walk along greenways and neighborhood streets brings you to and under I-25 (one of two crossings on the DOT). For the rest of the way, head straight along the Big Dry Creek Trail as you pass through an awesome corridor of open space. It's often very beautiful.
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24Big Dry Creek & 112th to Big Dry Creek & WadsworthBig Dry Creek Trail:
Front Range Community College
to Wadsworth Parkway		WestinsterEasy1:13:001414Bike​You thought you were done with the Big Dry Creek Trail? Nope. Continue along the greenway corridor as the scenery gradually changes around you, bringing you through awesome underpasses and tunnels and past lush parks and blue ponds.
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25Big Dry Creek & Wadsworth to Standley Lake LibraryBig Dry Creek to
Standley Lake		WestinsterEasy0:48:002032.4Bike​The shortest segment, and the one that features one of our favorite views of the whole DOT, overlooking Standley Lake. Admire the vista sprawled out before you at the halfway point. Before, head towards the dam towering before you. After, walk along the lake shore and briefly along the Croke Canal. So much to love here.

Recently rode by here — this is ridable — but as short as it is — it may not be worth bringing the bikes unless connecting from or to other sections — but since other sections are bikable — it may make sense to stay on the bike — or walk them if necessary
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26Standley Lake Library to Majestic View ParkFarmers & Croke
Canals Trail through Two Ponds
National Wildlife Refuge		ArvadaEasy1:09:001023.7BikeA segment of canal trails and lovely parks galore. The canal trails are awesome, secluded greenways cutting through otherwise built-up residential areas. The parks and open spaces - from neighborhood play areas to National Wildlife Refuges - are beautiful to pass through on foot. Majestic View Park, at the end of the segment, lives up to its name.

A nice walk but very bikable
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27Majestic View Park to Arvada ReservoirMajestic View Park,
Ralston Creek Trail, and Blunn
Reservoir		ArvadaModerately Strenuous3:40:0069910.9Bike​Enjoy the challenge of this beast of a segment. Follow the very enjoyable Ralston Creek Trail through Arvada, with frequent scenery changes and occasional glimpses of North Table Mountain in the distance. Emerge from the Ralston Creek Trail at Blunn Reservoir, where the DOT brings you the long way around, up to the top of a bluff. Take in some of the most stunning mountain vistas on the whole trail.
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28Arvada Reservoir to GoldenFairmont Canal Trail
to North Table Mountain, Tucker
Gulch to Downtown Golden		ArvadaModerately Strenuous3:12:008607.8WalkWalk to, and then up, and then around, and then down North Table Mountain. Explore the nooks and crannies of the mountain as you wind your way through it. Finally reach the tabletop and the feeling of being in a whole other world. Descend into lively downtown Golden having completed an epic and challenging walk to get there.

Some difficult biking spots near the top. Doable for experienced riders, but may be easier to walk
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