Littleton, CO: Deer Creek Canyon | Bicycling in Colorado

Littleton, CO: Deer Creek Canyon

This 27.6-mile out-and-back winds through Deer Creek Canyon, climbing nearly 3,000 feet of elevation en route to a historic schoolhouse.

Author:	Bicycling Magazine
Date:	31 Aug 2009 9:55:57 PM
Activity:	Bicycling ActivitySearchBicycling
State:	Colorado (CO)
Distance:	27.6 mi (Change units)
Elevation:	Total Gain: 3518 ft Total Loss: 3518 ft Net Change: 0 ft
Difficulty:	7 / 10
Tags:	Littleton, Front Range, Colorado, Denver
Rating:	Unrated Rate it

Located next to Chatfield State Park, Deer Creek Canyon is a popular escape for cyclists seeking a challenging climb with spectacular scenery. From the parking pull-outs near the intersection of Deer Creek Canyon Road and Wadsworth Boulevard, pedal west on Deer Creek Canyon Road. The first few miles climb gently to the mouth of the canyon, passing a couple parks. At mile 6.2, turn left onto Deer Creek Road and climb south 2.4 miles to a hairpin turn. (Deer Creek Road becomes Highgrade Road at this tight switchback.) The next 2 miles gain 700 feet of elevation.

After 13.3 miles, the road levels and travels west another 0.3 mile to the historic Pleasant Park schoolhouse. Rest your bike on the fence by this restored landmark built in 1894 and relax at the shaded picnic tables. Coolers filled with Gatorade are located next to the tables (donations requested). An outhouse is also located at this turnaround point. From here, cyclists can either continue following Pleasant Park Road to Conifer (3.2 miles), or turn around and backtrack to the starting point.

-Mapped by Kim Phillips, Matt Vellone, and Jake Lubinski

TO TRAILHEAD: The ride starts just west of the Deer Creek Canyon Road-Wadsworth Boulevard intersection.

Position Format:	Datum:

Tracks

Deer Creek Canyon

Dist: 27.60 mi	Points: 662	Calories: none
Time: none	Speed: 0.0 mph	Pace: 0:00 / mi

Distance	Instruction		Distance to next
1.97 mi	Turn Left	Turn left to stay on W Deer Creek Canyon Rd	Then go 4.21 mi
6.18 mi	Turn Left	Turn left at S Deer Creek Rd	Then go 2.40 mi
8.58 mi		S Deer Creek Rd turns right and becomes Highgrade Rd	Then go 2.14 mi
10.72 mi		Continue on Pleasant Park Rd	Then go 6.17 mi
16.89 mi		Continue on Highgrade Rd	Then go 2.14 mi
19.03 mi		Highgrade Rd turns left and becomes S Deer Creek Rd	Then go 2.40 mi
21.42 mi	Turn Right	Turn right at W Deer Creek Canyon Rd	Then go 4.19 mi
25.61 mi	Bear Right	Slight right to stay on W Deer Creek Canyon Rd

Points of Interest

Start/End: Deer Creek Canyon Road

Location: 39.549709°, -105.087994°
The ride starts just west of the Deer Creek Canyon Road-Wadsworth Boulevard intersection. Park your car in the pullout, then ride northwest along Deer Creek Canyon Road. Take advantage of this relatively flat stretch of road to warm up your legs.

Deer Creek Canyon Road

Location: 39.550805°, -105.090258°

Views from Deer Creek Canyon Road

Location: 39.551359°, -105.090859°
Views of the mountains and the Hogback can be seen to the south.

Warm up on Deer Creek Canyon Road

Location: 39.552666°, -105.092125°

Minimal Shoulder

Location: 39.553543°, -105.093026°
Ride single file: There's no bike lane along this busy stretch of road.

Junction: Deer Creek Canyon and Owens Street

Location: 39.554498°, -105.121120°
Turn left on Deer Creek Canyon Road at the intersection with Owens Street.

Deer Creek Canyon Park

Location: 39.554292°, -105.121694°
The route passes Deer Creek Canyon Park.

Cyclists ride through a gap in the Hogback

Location: 39.553336°, -105.123164°

Rock Formations

Location: 39.550503°, -105.136585°
Ruddy rock formations flank the road near South Valley Park.

South Valley Park

Location: 39.550997°, -105.139396°
Watch for cars entering and exiting this popular trailhead on the north side of the road.

Junction: Deer Creek Canyon and Valley Road

Location: 39.551227°, -105.140791°
Ride past Valley Road on the right.

Junction: Deer Creek Canyon and Grizzly Drive

Location: 39.548315°, -105.151649°
Continue straight past Grizzly Drive and Deer Creek Canyon Park.

Steady climb in Deer Creek Canyon

Location: 39.546329°, -105.159051°

Deer Creek Canyon

Location: 39.546073°, -105.159947°

Switchbacks in Deer Creek Canyon

Location: 39.545804°, -105.160264°
The two-lane road becomes curvier near mile 4.3.

Junction: Deer Creek Canyon and Deer Creek Road

Location: 39.537282°, -105.186968°
Roughly 6 miles in, the route turns left onto Deer Creek Road.

Highgrade Road

Location: 39.504488°, -105.186571°
Deer Creek Road becomes Highgrade Road at this hairpin turn. The next 2 miles gain 700 feet of elevation (a 6.6-percent grade).

The climb up Highgrade Road

Location: 39.505208°, -105.186598°

Pleasant Park Road

Location: 39.494822°, -105.205977°
Highgrade Road becomes Pleasant Park Road at mile 10.7.

Road Levels

Location: 39.503610°, -105.250053°
The terrain flattens near mile 13.3. Continue west on Pleasant Park Road for another half a mile to the historic Pleasant Park schoolhouse.

Pleasant Park School

Location: 39.503863°, -105.259538°
Rest your bike on the fence by the restored Pleasant Park schoolhouse (built in 1894). Coolers filled with Gatorade are located next to the shaded picnic tables (donations requested). An outhouse is also located at this turnaround point.