Hi gang,
Has anyone tried getting to the CT trailhead via Roxborough Park? I’d like to avoid Waterton Canyon and I’m familiar with Roxborough…in fact, I’ve been on the connector trail for the first mile.
I’m planning to hike Section 1 over Memorial Day weekend. I think E to W would be best due to the lack of camping. I don’t want to end up with a 10 mile hike on the last day.
Korvo
There is a trail coming on from the left as your are traveling W that comes from Roxborough, so it is possible. But there really isn’t anything wrong with Waterton Canyon as long as you start early if it is going to be hot. There is a nice camping spot right there beside the water source about 8 miles in from waterton if I remember right… The shuttle takes some time though…
Gravity and Danger
Gravity
I actually live in Roxborough Park, and trail run in the park several times a week. The trail you are referring to is the Carpenter Peak Trail, and it starts about 0.6 miles from the visitor center. The distance to the top of Carpenter Peak is about 2.5 miles, and it is all uphill. Right before the summit, there is a turnoff with a sign that reads “Colorado Trail and Waterton Canyon”. I’m not completely sure, but the mileage from the sign to the CT at Strontia Springs Dam is about 3 miles. The bottom line is that you might save one mile of distance going this way, but the hill is much steeper. The Roxborough trail is very well maintained, with good views, and much more shade than on the Water Board Road in the Canyon. There is no water available on the Roxborough route. If the “purist approach” is not important to you, or if you have been up Waterton Canyon a million times like I have, the Carpenter Peak trail is a great alternative. Please email with any further questions. TrailGuy
TrailGuy
I tried to do it through Roxborough, but was stymied by the rangers. Originally, when I was researching this route, I talked to the rangers and they said it would be fine to park at Roxborough for the night. When I actually arrived on June 30, they refused (Roxborough is a day use area, no overnight parking). I didn’t want to mess about with hitchhiking, so we switched plans and went in via Waterton instead.
Korvo