Beaver Brook Watershed

topmounter said:

Has anyone here ridden the Beaver Brook Watershed in Clear Creek County? I stopped by the trailhead off Squaw Pass Rd. near Bergen Park today and checked out the map, but it's pretty hard to tell what is there and whether it links to anything (some of the trails just wander off the map).

Oh and there is no review posted, I live nearby and I'll try and check it out next week and post something.

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Pretty sure it's hiker only. It starts at Windy Saddle (aka Chimney Gulch).

schnauzers said:

Pretty sure it's hiker only. It starts at Windy Saddle (aka Chimney Gulch).

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Different place:

Clear Creek County, CO - Official Website - Beaver Brook Watershed History & Rules

All current trails are open for biking, but no motorized vehicles.

Rode to Beaver Brook from Gtown sun 50 miles. Not much up there in the way of mileage but it is a fun place to explore. Mostly old roads that ride like singletrack now. Usually ride it as a loop from IS Waterline> Little Bear> Mountain View> through the watershed down to Floyd Hill > bike path back to IS. 23 miles I think. Beaver Brook is a cool place. You can also access Beaver Brook From Blue Valley, Floyd Hill and Hwy 103 across from Witter Gulch.

I used to run the waterline trail in IS for ski team training, can you ride that? I know it was short but from what i remember was a pretty cool trail. Seemed like it dumped out above the hot springs on a road maybe near a church? That was a long time ago. You pick it up near the cemetery is that correct?

thks.

PBR me! said:

I used to run the waterline trail in IS for ski team training, can you ride that? I know it was short but from what i remember was a pretty cool trail. Seemed like it dumped out above the hot springs on a road maybe near a church? That was a long time ago. You pick it up near the cemetery is that correct?

thks.

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:yikes:yep just don't hit your handlebars on the cliff and bounce off the side :yikes:

I'd sure be curious to know...

topmounter said:

Has anyone here ridden the Beaver Brook Watershed in Clear Creek County? I stopped by the trailhead off Squaw Pass Rd. near Bergen Park today and checked out the map, but it's pretty hard to tell what is there and whether it links to anything (some of the trails just wander off the map).

Oh and there is no review posted, I live nearby and I'll try and check it out next week and post something.

Click to expand...

It would be great to have another alternative to Elk Meadows/Bergen and I didn't even know it existed!

I've explored up there a bit. The existing 2 track roads are nice, but not very extensive. You can make a loop from Squaw Pass Road down through it. In the long term there will probably be more trails, but that's very long term.

For now, I'd say its a good place to take beginner mtn bikers to explore, and a good place to wander on two feet. I wouldn't drive up there for a killer ride.

What's the trail from top of Squaw down?

Scrambler said:

I've explored up there a bit. The existing 2 track roads are nice, but not very extensive. You can make a loop from Squaw Pass Road down through it. In the long term there will probably be more trails, but that's very long term.

For now, I'd say its a good place to take beginner mtn bikers to explore, and a good place to wander on two feet. I wouldn't drive up there for a killer ride.

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Every time I ride the road up there, I see a bunch of folks shuttling and dropping off near the top. I assume it drops down to Idaho Springs? How is it as a round trip for the non-gravity crowd?

PBR me! said:

I used to run the waterline trail in IS for ski team training, can you ride that? I know it was short but from what i remember was a pretty cool trail. Seemed like it dumped out above the hot springs on a road maybe near a church? That was a long time ago. You pick it up near the cemetery is that correct?

thks.

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That's a cool little trail - I ride it every once in awhile. You have to hook it up with other stuff to make it worthwhile, or take beginners.
All your ?s are correct.
You can also see the big waterfall/waterwheel from up above from just a few feet off the trail.

chuckred said:

Every time I ride the road up there, I see a bunch of folks shuttling and dropping off near the top. I assume it drops down to Idaho Springs? How is it as a round trip for the non-gravity crowd?

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Are you talking about Warren Gulch up at Echo Mtn?

I was sort of hoping that the BBW trails might open up some loop opportunities.

Also, does anyone know anything about a route from Echo Mountain Subdivision to near the top of Bergen Peak Trail in Elk Meadow?

It's my backyard and I ride/run/walk dogs there almost daily year around. There is really no single track from the Old Squaw Pass rd entrance, but the climb is a decent workout if you go all the way up to the old mine site. Go to the right at the end of the lake, then left when you get above the lake and have wrapped back to the East. You can wander around and spend about an hour and a half pretty easily. It's got nice scenery, mostly empty of people once you get past the lake, and there is a lot of wildlife. I wouldn't drive across town to ride there, but I also rarely drive to Three Sisters when Beaver Brook is the backyard. As others have said, nice beginner area as long as the beginner has enough fitness to handle a climb at 8500+. You can also get further North and hook up with Little Bear Creek Rd or Witter Gulch if you know where you're going.

Blueallah said:

You can also get further North and hook up with Little Bear Creek Rd or Witter Gulch if you know where you're going.

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I meant further West. Going North you exit towards Floyd Hill.

Also, does anyone know anything about a route from Echo Mountain Subdivision to near the top of Bergen Peak Trail in Elk Meadow?[/QUOTE]

You can drive to within ½ mile of the summit of Bergen Peak but it's private and bikes aren't allowed in the SWA. The few roads that drop down from Echo Hills to Hwy 103 or at least the ones I have explored are only open to foot and horse travel or are on private property.

big galoot said:

Also, does anyone know anything about a route from Echo Mountain Subdivision to near the top of Bergen Peak Trail in Elk Meadow?

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You can drive to within ½ mile of the summit of Bergen Peak but it's private and bikes aren't allowed in the SWA. The few roads that drop down from Echo Hills to Hwy 103 or at least the ones I have explored are only open to foot and horse travel or are on private property.[/QUOTE]

Thanks, I figured that was the case.