Eldorado Canyon State Park

As severe weather blasted the Denver Metro area, the foothills surrounding Eldorado Springs remained quiet and free from driving rain, pelting hail, and gusty winds.  It would be late in the day before we saw grey clouds overhead.  Mother nature held on to her fury, only to release it later in the week.



Eldorado Canyon Trailhead.

The day began with 11 members of the High Country Hikers group boarding the van outside the Aurora Center for Active Adults (ACAA).  An accident on I-270 (Commerce City) was reported earlier in the morning, causing that road to be impassible. 

Traffic backup on all major routes north of Aurora were affected.  After a few miles of slow-moving traffic, we were making good time on an alternate route, by way of  Golden, then north to Eldorado Springs.


Outside the Visitor Center, Dorothy, Joanne, Penny, Susan and Sandra prepare for a day on trail.

For a few in the group, it would be their first time both in the laid back mountain town and state park. 

There are no sidewalks in Eldorado Springs, no traffic signals, and believe it or not, no paved streets in Eldorado Springs. 

Yes, it's true, main street in this town remains natural dirt.  Needless to say, pot holes are everywhere.  To get from one end of town to the other...six city blocks at best...will force drivers to scoot from one side of the mostly two-lane strip to the other and back many times.  I doubt if the town has any type of heavy duty road equipment to upgrade the streets.

At the end of Main Street is the entrance to Eldorado Canyon State Park.  After paying the entrance fee, all eyes were focused out the windows and up the canyon walls.  For the next mile, riders were treated to a series of unique rock landscapes, 1.7 billion years in the making.  To those making their first appearance here, it was an enlightening experience.

Sand Lily

Hikers make their way out of the canyon.

 If looking up was not exciting enough, one glance over the canyon wall at the thrashing water of South Boulder creek below will hold your interest. 

The dirt road into this canyon, takes vehicles mere inches from the canyon wall and the raging water below.  Guard rails? There are none.  This is Colorado at it's best.


Western Wallflower

History: A park map explains that roughly 300 million years ago the Ancestral Rocky Mountains were uplifted in the same position as the present day Rockies, about 30 miles west of the park.  As these granite mountains eroded, streams deposited thick layers of sand and pebbles, which compacted  into sandstone as it was buried to increasing depths. 

This rock is known as the Fountain Formation, which is also exposed in Boulder's Flatirons and Red Rocks Amphitheater.  The reddish coloring is the result of the iron ore called hematite.  Most of the canyon's high cliffs - The Bastille, Wind Tower, Redgarden Wall, West Ridge, Peanuts and Rincon Wall - are made of this same rock.

There are over 500 technical rock climbing routes that lure climbers from around the globe to these cliffs.  Many of the top climbers come here to hone their skills. 

The park offers 1,488 acres of pristine backcountry to enjoy.  Hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking are activities offered on certain trails in the park.  Elevation ranges from 5,800' to 8,800.'


Hikers make their way on switchbacks to the top of the canyon.

In Spanish "el dorado" means gilded or covered in gold referring to the golden lichens on the cliffs.

One travel web site touts the park as one of the top 10 best parks in Colorado.  Having hiked the entire trail system here, I fully agree.

As we approach the visitor center, those onboard seem anxious to explore the canyon.  After cinching down our day packs in the parking lot, we are soon on trail.


On trail, Jane gets a  fantastic view of Eldorado Canyon from the top.

Dozens of log steps help hikers through long switchbacks as we make our way to the top of the canyon.  Along the way, we are able to see a number of private residences farther back the canyon.

The Eldorado Canyon Trail is scenic from beginning to end.  Rated as moderately difficult, this 3.5 mile path gains over 1,000' in elevation, most of it in the first mile.

Before reaching the top, hikers must negotiate a number of rock-strewn sections.  Some parts are more challenging than others.  Everyone makes it. 


Dorothy finds a low-lying branch to catch her breath.

After the climb, trail wanders along the canyon wall, dipping into a number of shaded gulches,  There a full canopy of pine, fur, and spruce is assured.  Trail then returns to open areas with little to no canopy.  All the while, hikers are treated to a constantly changing landscape.

Although it is a weekday, many who enjoy the outdoors, have decided to explore this canyon today.  We make many stops throughout the day to allow trail runners, dog walkers, couples, and other hikers to pass.

At the 3-mile mark, trail drops down into the canyon to South Boulder Creek.  Due to the time of day and threatening clouds overhead, it is decided we would all remain at the lookout site for lunch.

A solo hiker with his dog approach.  The man agrees to take the group photo.  Soon we are back on trail retracing our steps to the trailhead.


On the way out of the park, a number of rock climbers can be seen high above the canyon floor.  They appear as colored dots on a massive pallet.  At one point, a handful of climbers are beginning their ascent from the road as we pass them.

Everyone onboard agrees, hiking is a much safer outdoor activity.

We end the day with a drive from the trailhead into Golden for a treat before returning to ACAA.

Seated front (L to R) Jane Barber, author/photographer, Gary Alleman, Susan McHale, and Sandra Arunasalam; Back row (L to R) Penny Geise, Kathy and John Tedrick, hike leader/driver, Mary Kay Ryan, Luisa Sandoval, Dorothy Stranberg, and Joanne Murphy.

Total Miles Completed = 6.0 

NEXT WEEK: High Country Hikers visit Staunton State Park, at Shafer's Crossing the newest of 42 great Colorado state parks to explore and enjoy.  Another exhilarating day to enjoy outdoors.  Don't miss it.