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Jefferson County Open Space (JCOS) is happy to finally announce the completion and opening of the Gateway Segment to Clear Creek Canyon Park as of August 25, following a 4 P.M. “cable cutting” ceremony.
This 1.75-mile trail connects with downtown Golden along Clear Creek and continues west to Tunnel 1 along US 6. The two new trailheads – one at the entrance to the canyon and one near Tunnel 1 – feature more than 170 parking spaces, permanent restrooms, and shade structures. The parking area at the Gateway Segment of Clear Creek Canyon Park has the added features of a bike repair station, a bike rack with metal frame crafted from the parts of cars retrieved from the canyon during construction, and a drinking fountain that includes a ground-level fountain for four-legged hiking companions.
This project also includes the first suspension bridge in Jefferson County. This pedestrian-only crossing of Clear Creek near Tunnel 1 connects hikers with the restored wooden flume of the Welch Ditch on the south side of the creek. Water access is also improved with rock staircases along the trail. This Gateway Segment – part of the Peaks to Plains Trail – honors the area’s mining history with materials and treatments like stained concrete and bridge railings that are designed to help the trail blend in with the canyon.
Access this new segment by parking at the Gateway Trailhead located at 20050 US Highway 6, in Golden at the intersection of US 6/HWY 93/HWY 58.
The trail will be open from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset, with electronic gates at both parking facilities closing at those times to prohibit overnight parking.
With the opening of this new trail, park visitors are reminded to recreate responsibly.
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