Directions to Trailhead: From I-70, travel east/south on C-470 to Kipling. Exit southbound to South Deer Creek Canyon Road. Turn west and continue to Grizzly Drive where you'll venture south approximately 1/4 mile to the parking lot. For a more scenic route, you can exit at Ken Caryl Ranch, stay in the left lane as it becomes S. Valley Rd. Turn Left at Waterton Rd, and the Right at Deer Creek Canyon Rd.
About This Trail: Deer Creek Canyon Park had its beginnings as a campground for wandering bands of Ute and Arapahoe. The 1,881-acre Open Space park was first homesteaded in 1872 by a man from Plymouth, England, John Williamson. Back then, Deer Creek's rolling hills and fertile fields attracted both farmers and miners. John Williamson's famed Glen Plym Ranch, as well as the Couch and Clark Homesteads, all sat within the current park boundaries.
Other personalities which frequented the Deer Creek area included Alferd Packer, Jesse James, Chief Colorow and "Horse Thief" Thompson. Packer, Colorado's famous cannibal, moved to Critchell in 1901 after being paroled from the state penitentiary. He spent his last years in a cabin in Phillipsburg. Packer and others worked on Deer Creek's many ranches and mines. Local mines yielded a wealth of gold and silver, while the flatlands were known for producing abundant hay, wheat and corn crops. from jeffo open space
Trail Description: Like many other Jeffco Open Space Parks, Deer Creek has many well maintained trail options to choose from. All trails have excellent signs, and there are park maps available at the trail head. There are some hiker only trails, so please watch out for our pedestrian friends.
Plymouth Creek: At trailhead parking area 2.4 mi +1343 / -431 Multi-user trail, lush sections, rocky in spots, steep climb west of Meadowlark junction
Plymouth Mtn. Trail junction w/ Plymouth Creek 2.2 mi +884 / -733 Multi-user trail with scenic views to east. Steep side slope on north end.
Red Mesa Loop Trail junction w/ Plymouth Creek 2.5 mi +851 / -841 Multi-user trail with open views of canyon & forested section.
Extra Credit: There are some smooth fast singletrack sections that will keep you grinning all week long, but you have to climb up to them, making the ride all the more enjoyable.
