Info needed!
Waterton Canyon in Denver is where the CT starts. The first 6 miles no dogs are allowed.
Is there any way to get to STRONTIA SPRINGS DAM 39.43473 / -105.12231 or BEAR CREEK 39.41954 /
-105.1238 by vehicle?
Or do you think I can hike that section quickly in the early morning on a Monday and get through it with my leashed dog okay?
Seraphina
The trail from Waterton canyon to SS dam is certainly driveable - I believe that it is actually an old railroad bed. Whether you could actually drive on it or not is sort of doubtful; i think it’s just a maintainence road for the dam. After mile 5.5 to bear creek (~8), no way; it’s hike and bike trail. However, I doubt anybody’s going to be around checking and you and your dog should slip through fine.
cyclops
I found out that no vehicles are allowed on that road. I thought about getting out there at 5 AM and trying to run through it with my dog. I wonder if I get stopped if I’ll just have to pay a fine or if they’ll actually send me BACK?
Seraphina
I wouldn’t stress about it. Go for the early start, and you will be fine. It’s a pretty lame starting place though. Kinda weird hiking up this gravel road with a bunch of bikers etc on the weekend. Less than dramatic. We had a lot of comments about our packs when we set off for a section hike.
Gravity Man
Gravity Man
I live less than two miles from the Waterton Canyon trailhead, and wanted to add my two cents to the discussion, since there are some good questions floating around about this area. First, you will not like the fine if you bring any animal into Waterton Canyon. The Denver Water Company owns this area, and is strict about this rule. As you pass the trailhead sign, you pass the DWC operations center, with plenty of employees around. There is light but routine employee traffic on the 6 mile “water board road”, that serves as the first 6 miles of the CT. I would not risk it. Second, no public automobiles are allowed on the road, so there is no driving to Strontia Springs Dam. Now some good news - If you are not hung up on missing the 6 miles of dirt road with the multitude of mountain bikers (I’m not a mountainbiker, but rather a hiker and ultrarunner), you could always get dropped off at Roxborough State Park and take the Carpenter Peak trail about 3.25 miles until it connects with trail to Waterton Canyon. You will end up at the Strontia Springs dam, and will have avoided the 6 mile road hike. But, the 3 miles is a fairly decent climb to start with. Be aware that there is no camping in either Waterton Canyon or Roxborough State park.
Personally, I think the walk up Waterton Canyon next to the river is relaxing, if you go early in the morning. I run there most mornings. FYI
TrailGuy