Welch Ditch Trail

Trip

RMOTHG Trip – Welch Ditch Trail

This trip is changed from Flying J Ranch due to muddy conditions. The meeting time is changed to 9:00am. This hike is limited to RMOTHG members only. Starting at the west end of Golden, we will hike at a gentle pace along the scenic Clear Creek Peaks to Plains trail, then along the Welch Ditch Trail above the creek. The four-mile round-tip trail is paved on the first part with an easy dirt trail along the old water and flume route (depending on trail/mud conditions, some additional portions of the trip may be on the paved path). The trail follows the creek through for two miles just past Tunnel 1 on US 6.

  • Easy
  • Mileage: 4.0 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 125 ft
  • Pace: 1.0-1.25

We will walk along the beautiful Clear Creek Peaks to Plains trail starting at the west end of Golden. After crossing the bridge, we'll hike along the Welch Ditch trail (depending on trail conditions we may stay on portions of the paved path along the creek). The four-mile round-tip trail is paved. It follows the creek for two miles just past Tunnel 1 on US 6. It is an out and back trip.

For those interested, we can have an early lunch at the starting point along the creek or across the street in Lyons Park. Bring your own lunch.

Please let the leader know if you have any medical conditions which could affect the trip, including asthma, heart or lung issues, diabetes, balance disorders, etc.

To learn more about the trails, including photos, see

Welch Ditch -

   - https://www.hikingproject.com/trail/7103440/welch-ditch-trail

   - https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/peaks-to-plains-and-welch-ditch-loop 

Peaks to Plain

    - https://www.jeffco.us/3792/Peaks-to-Plains-Trail

    - https://www.jeffco.us/DocumentCenter/View/28702/Peaks-to-Plains-Regional-Trail-Map

We'll meet at 9:00am in Golden at the parking lot to the immediate west of the library - 1019 10th Street, Golden 80401. Do not park in the library lot, which is reserved for library patrons. 

Golden now has paid parking at public lots. The first two hours are free, but you must still register your license plate (the trip will likely take two or more hours). The cost after the first two hours is is $2.50/hour. You can use the HonkMobile app or your phone to pay in the lot. There is also a pay station about a block away.

For a map and directions to the parking lot, see:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/WTmVw4gxRRxa2t6S9

More information on Golden Parking:

https://www.parkgoldenco.com/map-n-park

Roster
Route/Place

Welch Ditch Trail


Required Equipment

Required Equipment

$15 annual RMOTHG Membership Dues are required to participate. Please contact the office at 303-279-3080 ext. 3 or office@cmc.org to join!

Trip Reports