Colorado Trail Trailhead: South Platte River

Lower elevation for a Front Range Hike. Great views of mountains, unique rock formations and open spaces.

The CO Trail provides solid hiking on all 28 trail segments, each with its own unique feel, sights and personality.

With this trail easily accessible from Denver, its very quiet and you hardly see any traffic. The parking lot has a vault toilet and great access to water year round on the South Platte.

Hiking southwest from the trailhead leads you onto the 2nd trail segment, which doesn't have any other water sources and you are mostly in the Buffalo Creek burn area for most of the segment spite about 5 miles. Be prepared to be in the sun, or exposed to wind. This isn't the greatest place to find yourself in a lightening storm either, there isn't coverage for miles in some areas.

I've hiked both directions of the CO trail from this trailhead and each are unique and offer great hiking. This is also a great area to practice backpacking before you really commit to a big adventure. You can get the feel for hiking with a pack and setting up a camp if you have never done it before.

My favorite thing about the CO trail and its not specific to this segment is the people you encounter - you will see all types. Chat with a few if you get the chance, its fun to hear stories!

Pretty fast ascend, 2000 feet on 5 miles

Gorgeous, nice long trails, very open amd pet friendly, and you gotta take your shoes off ajd go into the creek. The water is really clear and untainted so no need to worry about nasty water covering your feet.

Love this trail. I hiked towards Waterton Canyon on Nov 1st, 2017. First 3.5 miles or so was incline but after that it was relatively easy. Great view through out.

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