Colorado's favorite photographer, John Fielder, lists Roxborough State Park as one of his 10 favorite places on planet Earth. Hike the South Rim Trail and you'll see why.
At the Visitor's Center (directions below), sign the register and ask for a brochure for the nature trail signs. When you're ready to hit the trail, walk past the tables on the patio, cross the service road and veer slightly left to the sign for the Willow Creek Loop, South Rim Trail and Carpenter Peak.
Behind the sign is a beautiful rock formation. Hike south through the trees and around the formation to a view of the valley east of the park. When you come to trail splits, keep following the signs that say "South Rim Trail." The hike starts fairly flat for the first half-mile giving you a chance to enjoy the scenery and warm up. In winter, this trail may be icy, snowy, muddy or dry. As you hike through the trees, you'll see a few nature trail signs.
About a half-mile from the Visitor's Center, the South Rim Trail veers left and continues south. You'll cross a bridge and begin climbing.
Here there is a long series of switchbacks that take hikers up 350 feet above the valley. See the rock formation to the east? You'll be hiking up and over that ridge. As you climb, when you need a break, just look at the views of the valley below you. Take in the long line of red rock formations. In winter, the red slabs stand out against the white snow. In summer, the red rock contrasts with the green trees and bushes. These red rocks are the same ones hikers see at Red Rocks Amphitheater and in Boulder. They are gray in Boulder and red elsewhere because of the higher iron content.
At that top of the ridge, the hike drops down in the next valley to the east. From here, the scenery loses some of its thrill. Hikers take a steep trail back down, past the Willow Creek Trail split, across another bridge, back to the park's main road. Cross the road and a sign directs hikers to a trail that parallels the road back to the parking lots.
Details: The South Rim Loop trail from the Visitor's Center to the parking lot is just less than 3 miles with about 400 feet of elevation gain.
Directions: From C-470, take Wadsworth south past Chatfield State Park. Turn left on Waterton Road (just before the entrance to Lockheed Martin.) Continue on Waterton Road until it ends at North Rampart Range Road. Turn right (south) on North Rampart Range Road. After 2.3 miles, you'll see the entrance to Roxborough State Park on your left, just before the entrance to Arrowhead golf course. Pay the entrance fee at the toll booth or the nearby self-service kiosk. Then take the main road to the parking lot and walk to the Visitor's Center.
Learn more about Roxbourgh State Park. While you're at the park, don't miss the Fountain Valley Trail (family hike) and Carpenter Peak (strenuous). For more great hikers in Colorado and the west, click here.
Comments