Summary: Short Rides:  Deer Creek Canyon Ride

Rating:  Route:  Dear Creek Canyon, through Conifer and past Tiny Town Features:  Slow winding mountain roads & multi-lane city highways Distance:  28 miles Ride Time:  Approximately 49 minutes Season:  March through November Maximum Grade:  12.1% Change in Elevation:  3,050 feet

Overview:

This motorcycle ride begins near Chatfield Reservoir, Wadsworth Blvd & Deer Creek Canyon Road, in Littleton, Colorado.  From there, it follows Deer Creek Canyon to Aspen Park and then Turkey Creek Canyon into Indian Hills.

Directions:

From Wadsworth Blvd (Highway 121), take Deer Creek Canyon Rd west to Deer Creek Rd.  Turn right (south) on Deer Creek Rd.  Deer Creek Rd will become High Grade Rd and then Pleasant Park Rd.  Continue on Pleasant Park Rd into Conifer.  At Conifer, merge onto Highway 285 North.  Continue on Highway 285, North, to S. Turkey Creek Rd.  Turn left (east) on Turkey Creek Rd and follow north past Tiny Town.

Maps:

Elevation Profile:

This motorcycle ride begins at 5500 feet in elevation near Chatfield Reservoir, climbs to over 8500 feet as you pass James Q Newton Park in Aspen Park, and descends steadily back into Lakewood, Colorado.  The maximum change in slope is 22% climb and 15% descent as shown on the profile below.  Click on the "Detailed Profile" button above to see a full-screen profile.

Photos:

These photos were taken early in ride, just north of Deer Creek Park.

Photos taken after turning on to Deer Creek Canyon Road and climbing along Sampson Mountain.

Valley along Pleasant Park Road just west of Oehlmann Park Road.

Looking down into Aspen Park where Pleasant Park Road meets US 285.

Our Review:

This ride is an absolute blast and is close enough to the Metro area that you can get it in after work.  The ride begins at Wadsworth Blvd and Deer Creek Canyon Rd and follows Deer Creek Canyon into Aspen Park.  From there, it snakes it's way, lazily, through to Indian Hills.  The initial ride, before turning onto Deer Creek Rd, is clean, well traveled and predictable.  Once you turn onto Deer Creek Rd, the turns become tighter and less consistent and the views become substantially more spectacular.  Turkey Creek Rd, from Aspen Park to Indian Hills, is lazy and quick.  The roads are well maintained and the curves are predictable and plenty.  Do keep an eye out for gravel, November through May and as always, the ride is frequented by cyclists so keep an eye for them as you snake your way through.

Points of Interest:

You will pass Deer Creek Canyon Park as you turn onto Deer Creek Rd.  Also, consider visiting Tiny Town when following Turkey Creek Rd.