Clear Creek Trail

Adventure awaits

December 18, 2025

In early March 2026, the Jefferson County (JeffCo) Parks and Open Space website indicated that the Peaks to Plains Trail had been renamed to the Clear Creek Trail.

Currently there are two main segments open on the Clear Creek Trail. The first is between the town of Golden and the CCR trailhead. The second is between the Big Easy and Oxbow/Tunnel 5 trailheads. This miniblog is a record of various hiking trips along the segments.

Golden to CCR Trailhead segment

Big Easy to Oxbow/Tunnel 5 segment

April 2026

Nathan Cassell

Hiking on the Clear Creek Trail this afternoon, Big Easy to Oxbow/Tunnel 5 and back.

Clear Creek Trail next to waters of Clear Creek flowing under US Highway 6, rock walls of Clear Creek Canyon in distance with a few ponderosa pine trees growing along the edge. Blue sky above.

Pink and green graffiti mural along the multi-use path, under the bridge.

Mountain mahogany leaves on stem, waters of Clear Creek in background.

Clear Creek Trail extending along Clear Creek, Vasquez Bridge in the distance. Mountainside on horizon covered in conifer trees.

March 2026

Nathan Cassell

Hiking on the Clear Creek Trail this evening, Big Easy to Oxbow/Tunnel 5 and back.

Waters of Clear Creek flowing through Clear Creek Canyon, with a rocky wall on the left side and a conifer covered mountainside on the right. Blue sky above with a few white and gray puffy clouds. Near the Oxbow/Tunnel 5 Trailhead in Clear Creek County, Colorado.

Nathan Cassell

1mo

Walk along Clear Creek tonite 🚶‍♂️ Ford Street bridge and Golden Mill food hall

Ford Street bridge in the middle ground, Golden Mill food hall to the right, Millstone condominiums on the left, foothills in the distance including Mount Zion where the lighted letter "M" is faintly visible. Clear deep blue twilight sky above. The sky and the shadow of the bridge are reflected in the surface waters of Clear Creek in the foreground. Golden, Colorado.

Nathan Cassell

1mo

Walk this evening on the Clear Creek Trail, with a side loop on the Welch Ditch flume. Finished just before dark.

Historic wooden water flume converted to hiking trail (Welch Ditch Trail), on mountainside of canyon wall in Clear Creek Canyon. Clear Creek Trail (formerly known as the Peaks to Plains Trail) and waters of Clear Creek visible down below. Blue sky above with clouds. Just west of Golden, Colorado.

Clear Creek Canyon at dusk. Multi-use trail and metal railing extend from foreground into the middle ground to a vanishing point. Waters of Clear Creek flowing down the canyon to the right of the trail. Blue sky above with a few orange clouds. Jefferson County Parks and Open Space.

Nathan Cassell

1mo

Wintry weather on the Clear Creek Trail today 🚶‍♂️❄️

Winter scene. Waters of Clear Creek flowing through Clear Creek Canyon between US Highway 6 and the Clear Creek Trail, and underneath the Tunnel 1 Bridge west of Golden, Colorado. Freshly fallen snow covers the canyon walls, trees, and small boulders lining both sides of the creek. Hazy sky above. [according the JeffCo Open Space website, the trail which was previously known as the Peaks to Plains Trail has now been renamed as the Clear Creek Trail]

Nathan Cassell

1mo

Walk this evening on the Peaks to Plains Trail 🚶‍♂️

Multi-use hard surface trail bordered by steel railing on left side and rock wall on right side, extending from foreground to a vanishing point in the middle ground. Waters of Clear Creek flowing on the left of the railing, a dry grassy area with a skiff of snow on the right side of the wall. A conifer forest largely covers a mountainside in the distance. Blue sky above with several white and gray puffy clouds. Near the Big Easy Trailhead, Jefferson County, Colorado.

February 2026

Nathan Cassell

2mo

From Sunday's trip along the Peaks to Plains Trail. There are two climbing areas on the far rock wall: "Graveyard" on the left and "Death Valley" on the right. Along the oxbow section of Clear Creek near Tunnel 5.

Oxbow section of Clear Creek, along the Peaks to Plains trail (between Golden and Idaho Springs, Colorado). The creek curves along the left foreground, with the surface water almost completely covered in ice. A patch of bare willows sits on a sandbar. The trail curves along the right foreground. Ponderosa pines, Douglas firs, and Rocky Mountain junipers are scattered about. Steep and rocky canyon walls extend toward the top of the frame, with a wedge of blue sky and white and gray puffy clouds above.

Nathan Cassell

2mo

Peaks to Plains Trail today from Big Easy (Jefferson County) to Oxbow/Tunnel 5 (Clear Creek County) and back. People up there climbing all over the place.

Trailside access to the "Graveyard" climbing area in Clear Creek County. Informational sign posted with hours, restrictions, and guidelines. Rocky area in foreground, bare vegetation in middle ground along with a person hiking up the trail with climbing gear, rock wall outcroppings above.

People climbing with ropes on the side of a flat rock wall in the "Catslab" climbing area. In Clear Creek Canyon, west of Golden, Colorado.

Small group of climbers gathered at resting area in the "Death Valley" climbing area. They are wearing helmets and climbing gear, and two climbing ropes dangle from the top of the frame down to the resting area. The rock includes swirling and colored patterns ranging from dark gray to rust to light cream.

Large group of climbers gathered at a large boulder the size of a giant boulder. Two people are actively bouldering on the giant boulder, while other people are sitting or standing on nearby small boulders the size of medium boulders. In the "Catslab" climbing area.

Nathan Cassell

2mo

Beautiful day for a walk in Clear Creek Canyon, on the Peaks to Plains Trail west of Golden, CO

View from the Gateway Trailhead toward Clear Creek Canyon. Metal staircase leads down to the Peaks to Plains Trail which follows Clear Creek. Bare deciduous trees line the banks of the creek. Blue sky above. Near Golden, Colorado.

View of an icy Clear Creek looking upstream, along the Peaks to Plains Trail through Clear Creek Canyon. Blue sky above. Near Golden, Colorado.

January 2026

Nathan Cassell (@pyxorium.com)

From Wednesday's walk along Clear Creek on the Peaks to Plains Trail. 🎼 Brian Eno

https://deer.social/profile/pyxorium.com/post/3mdnq32wba22j

Nathan Cassell

2mo

A walk today along Clear Creek, on the Peaks to Plains Trail. This view looking downstream from the Diversion Point Bridge toward Tunnel 1 (US Route 6). Beautiful weather.

Clear Creek Canyon near Golden, Colorado. US Route 6 roadway extends along left side of frame, passing through Tunnel 1 in the distance. Peaks to Plains Trail extends along right side of frame. Waters of Clear Creek flowing downstream, between the road and trail. Surface of creek is covered in large ice formations, through which the waters flow. The foreground and middle ground is shaded, the canyon wall in the distance is illuminated by the sun. Thin slice of gray blue sky above.

Nathan Cassell

2mo

Clear Creek from Sunday's walk

Ice has formed along the outer banks of the creek, and around rocks and boulders sitting in the creek bed. A dusting of snow covers large portions of the exposed ice. Water flowing downstream continues to carve a path through the ice formations. Clear Creek Canyon near Golden, Colorado.

Nathan Cassell (@pyxorium.com)

Video from yesterday's walk 🎼 Annum Integrum

https://deer.social/profile/pyxorium.com/post/3mdbuiy4syk24

Nathan Cassell

2mo

Clear Creek this am

Water flowing down Clear Creek, snow and ice on surface, rocks in bed and along banks. Near Golden, Colorado

Nathan Cassell

2mo

Walked the Peaks to Plains Trail today, Gateway to CCR and back. 10F at start, warming to 14F by the finish. Clear Creek starting to ice over in some places.

Waters of Clear Creek flowing down through Clear Creek Canyon, near Golden, Colorado. Large rocks, boulders, and canyon walls line the creek and creek bed. A few conifers and bare deciduous trees are scattered along the creek banks. Sheets of ice have formed to cover anywhere from 25% to 100% the width of the creek. A light coating of recently fallen snow dusts the surface of the ice.

Nathan Cassell

3mo

Walked the Peaks to Plains Trail today along Clear Creek, Gateway to CCR and back. Cold and sunny!

Mountain canyon scene. Peaks to Plains multi-use trail and flowing waters of Clear Creek in foreground. Canyon walls on left, right, and center, with some vegetation and trees scattered about. Blue sky above.

The creek bed of Clear Creek substantially fills the frame. Boulders and rocks are strewn about. Large sheets and smaller pieces of ice cover the surface of the water in several places. A person standing in the creek, wearing a beanie cap and backpack, and casting the line of a fly fishing rod into an uncovered portion of the creek.

Waters of Clear Creek flowing downstream through the rocky creek bed. Ice has accumulated on some of the rocks.

Close up of two irregularly shaped icicles hanging from snow-dusted ice shelf, near the water's edge.

Nathan Cassell

3mo

Walked the Peaks to Plains Trail today along Clear Creek, from Gateway to the CCR trailhead (named after the historic Colorado Central Railroad). It was chilly and there were only a few people out. Enjoyed the fresh snow ❄️

View downstream from the CCR bridge toward the CCR trailhead. Waters of Clear Creek flowing through Clear Creek canyon, US Highway 6 along left side of the creek, trail along right side of the creek. A light dusting of snow has settled on the trees and vegetation along the canyon mountainsides, and on the boulder near and in the creek bed. Hazy sky above.

View downstream from the Tunnel 1 bridge. Waters of Clear Creek flowing through Clear Creek canyon. A person wearing an orange jacket is running on the trail, which travels along the left side of the creek. A light dusting of snow has settled on the trees and vegetation along the canyon mountainsides, and on the boulder near and in the creek bed. Near Golden, Colorado.

December 2025

Nathan Cassell

3mo

Hiking on the Peaks to Plains Trail today from Big Easy (Jefferson County) to Oxbow/Tunnel 5 (Clear Creek County) and back. Very windy in the canyon.

Shaded waters of Clear Creek flowing through snow and ice in Clear Creek Canyon, with conifers and sunlit rocky canyon walls in the distance, blue sky above. Near the Oxbow/Tunnel 5 Trailhead in Clear Creek County, Colorado.

Waters of Clear Creek flowing between rocks, icicles hanging from one of the rocks, the splashing waters have created small beads at the bottom of the icicles.

Trail's end sign, with interpretive map: "You have reached the trail's end! Clear Creek County is currently developing plans to extend the Clear Creek Greenway Trail. The area marked Planned Trail, is in the works" It appears the planned trail extends from Tunnel 5 nearly to Idaho Springs.

Trail descending along Clear Creek to pass beneath US Highway 6 as it passes through Tunnel 5. A posted yellow diamond warning sign says: Trail Subject to Flooding. Sunlight brightens the canyon wall in the distance.

Nathan Cassell

4mo

A walk this am on the P2P Trail. By the time I finished, electricity had been restored to our area 🎉 Today's theme is 'Bridges' Perseverance Bridge CCR Bridge 691 Bridge Granite Giants Bridge

Metal and concrete bridge going over Clear Creek, near Golden, Colorado (Perseverance Bridge)

Metal and concrete bridge going over Clear Creek, near Golden, Colorado (CCR Bridge)

Metal and concrete bridge going over Clear Creek, near Golden, Colorado (691 Bridge)

Metal and concrete bridge going over Clear Creek, near Golden, Colorado (Granite Giants Bridge)

Nathan Cassell

4mo

Went for a nice walk this afternoon on the Peaks to Plains Trail out of Golden, up to the CCR Trailhead

Clear Creek Canyon near the CCR Trailhead, late afternoon and much of the canyon floor and creek is shaded by the steep canyon walls. Here there are a few trees catching some of the remaining sunlight light, a small group of trees to the left of the creek, and a larger group to the right. There is a small wedge of clear blue sky at the top, and a portion of the upper right ridgeline is also in the sunlight (near Golden, Colorado)

Nathan Cassell

4mo

From yesterday's walk along Clear Creek, on the Peaks to Plains Trail

Surface water of Clear Creek with a few rocks in the creek bed, water at upper portion of frame is reflecting reddish brown tones from the rock canyon wall on the opposite side of the creek, bottom portion of frame is reflecting blue tones from the sky.

Nathan Cassell

4mo

Earlier this week was too windy, but this am was good for a spin up Lookout Mtn 🚲 Stopped at the switchbacks (yellow) for a birds-eye view of the Tunnel 1 Bridge (red), which opened Nov 21 and is part of the Peaks to Plains Trail. Also two pics at ground level, Nov 25 (no snow) and Dec 4 (snow)

Birds-eye view of Tunnel 1 Bridge over Clear Creek, near Golden, Colorado on the Peaks to Plains Trail, with person walking over the bridge.

Interpretive map of portion of Clear Creek Canyon, showing location of Tunnel 1 Bridge and Lookout Mountain Road switchbacks.

Tunnel 1 Bridge viewed from the south (as the trail descends) no snow is present, November 25, 2025

Tunnel 1 Bridge viewed from the north (as the trail ascends) snow is present, December 4, 2025

Nathan Cassell

4mo

A walk on the Peaks to Plains Trail this am, started at Gateway and turned around at CCR where there is an interpretive sign with information about the next trail segment under construction (Huntsman's Rancho, opening 2026). A big thanks to @jeffcoopenspace.bsky.social for their work on this trail!

Gateway Trailhead of Peaks to Plains Trail, metal staircase leading down to the trail below, with a view west into Clear Creek Canyon, the flume portion of the trail is faintly visible as a horizontal line along the left side of the canyon. Fresh snow from yesterday covers most surfaces of the foothills, including the rocks and vegetation. Blue sky above with a few white and gray clouds. Just west of the town of Golden, Colorado.

End of the open segment of the trail, at the Perseverance Bridge near the CCR Trailhead. Metal frame bridge extending over Clear Creek. A large metal screen barrier blocks further travel on the bridge, and includes an orange sign saying "Construction Access Only" an interpretive sign that says "Coming Soon" (additional info on this sign in the next alt text). US Highway 6 is visible on the far side of the bridge, as is a snow covered canyon mountainside.

Jefferson County Parks and Open Space recently published this information about the CCR Trailhead:
"JCPOS is excited to announce that the CCR Trailhead in Clear Creek Canyon Park opened to the public on Friday, November 21. This newest trail segment brings a number of exciting features to the Clear Creek corridor. It offers parking for 42 vehicles and takes its name from the Colorado Central Railroad, which in the 1870s hauled ore from the mines of Black Hawk to the smelters in Golden. Visitors can now enjoy an additional 1.5 miles of fully ADA-accessible trail seamlessly connecting to the Gateway Segment. The route also includes five new bridges—Diversion Point, Granite Giants, 691, CCR, and Perseverance—each adding character and connection to the landscape."

Interpretive sign text:
Coming Soon
Jefferson County Parks and Open Space is continuing work on the next segment of the Peaks to Plains Trail, expanding Clear Creek Canyon Park access. The next segment will connect the CCR Trailhead to Huntsman's Rancho Trailhead adding 1.5 miles of new trail! This new trailhead will include parking for 70+ vehicles, 4 bridges, multiple creek access points, and an additional one mile soft surface trail loop. Construction should be completed by end of 2026. Please give workers and equipment space, stay out of construction areas, and follow all signs. Thank you for your patience.

Man from Jefferson County Parks and Open Space operating a snow blower on the Peaks to Plains Trail near the Gateway Trailhead. Snow covers the ground, except for portions of the trail cleared by the snow blower. A yellow sign indicates a Trail Intersection, which is a point where the historic Welch Ditch Trail (which includes the wooden flume trail) connects with the Peaks to Plains Trail. Blue sky above with large white and gray clouds.

Nathan Cassell

4mo

From yesterday's walk on the Peaks to Plains Trail. The weather will be warming up over the next few days and I expect much of this snow and ice will begin melting away 🌤️

Snow on railings and walking surface of metal bridge, icicles forming on bolts on the side of the top railing. Canyon wall faintly visible in distance. Clear Creek Canyon Park, near Golden, Colorado

Two women and a dog running on the Peaks to Plains Trail, snow covers trail and surrounding canyon area. Exposed rocky canyon wall toward top right of frame. West side portal of Tunnel 1 (US Highway 6) is visible behind tree branches on the left. Flowing water of Clear Creek is on far side of a metal railing that borders the trail. Sky covered in gray and white clouds, with small portions of blue peeking through.

Tree with multiple branches covered in snow in foreground, water of Clear Creek in middle ground, rocks on near and far banks of creek are covered in pillows of snow, wooden water flume of Welch Ditch Trail is faintly visible in the distance running horizontally along the far side of the canyon wall.

Wooden water flume of Welch Ditch Trail, walking surface and vertical posts of flume covered in snow, canyon walls faintly visible in the distance, icicles hanging from rock in top right of frame.

Nathan Cassell

4mo

Hiking the Peaks to Plains Tail along Clear Creek, near Golden, Colorado

Waters of Clear Creek flowing through rocky canyon, fresh snow covering rocks in the creek bed, and foliage and rocky outcroppings along the right and left banks of the creek. Clear Creek, near Golden, Colorado

Nathan Cassell

4mo

Went for a walk on the Peaks to Plains Trail this pm to see what the snow was like. A couple of parks dept peeps there said they had plowed the entire trail, which was great. It was icy in spots and walking was more difficult as it got darker out, I eventually put my Yak Trax on which helped a lot.

Woman and large dog running on Peaks to Plains Trail just west of Golden, Colorado. The fence running along side the trail, the trees on both sides of the trail, and much of the vegetation has a coating of fresh snow. This part of the trail is on the lower segment close to town, and gets a lot of traffic.

Man running along a portion of the trail that goes between two large rock outcroppings. This part of the trail is farther away from town, and gets less traffic. Tire tracks from the snow plow are visibly imprinted on the snow. Canyon wall in the distance.

A few people on the trail, large Douglas fir trees covered in snow line the trail, on the right side of the railing. Bridge and canyon wall in the distance.

Yak Trax traction device on my shoe. Very helpful for walking in slippery conditions. I'm on a bridge here, and water flowing in Clear Creek can be seen below.

Nathan Cassell

4mo

A few more from yesterday's walk on the Peaks to Plains Trail. By late afternoon, winter darkness had begun settling into the canyon.

West side of Tunnel 1. On the upper left is US Highway 6 passing through the tunnel, with overhead street light lamps on the outside of the tunnel, and overhead lights on the interior of the tunnel, and a guard rail alongside the highway. On the lower right is Clear Creek flowing through the canyon. Near Golden, Colorado.

Street light lamps on east side of Tunnel 1 illuminating the surface of Clear Creek, which is partially covered in snow.

Light from the street lamps illuminating snow, trees, and foliage along right and left banks of Clear Creek. Ridgeline of foothills in the distance.

Moon faintly visible through snow clouds, portions of bare deciduous trees are silhouetted against the hazy sky, light from a passing car illuminates a few tree branches.

November 2025

Nathan Cassell

4mo

Walked up the Peaks to Plains Trail this am. It was really cold, and more ice is beginning to form on the creek.

Waters of Clear Creek flowing down Clear Creek Canyon near Golden, Colorado. Peaks to Plains Trail running alongside the Creek. Several rocks scattered along creek bed, covered in recent dusting of snow.

Water flowing around rocks in the creek, icicles forming on the rocks.

Accumulating layers of ice forming along creek bank, creating curved line patterns.

Nathan Cassell

4mo

A few more from yesterday's walk in Clear Creek Canyon. It was super cold so there weren't many people out, but there were a few.

Two small groups of people walking and one man running (in shorts!) on snow covered path along the Peaks to Plains Trail near Golden, Colorado. A stone wall is on the right side of the path, a metal railing and fence is on the left side. Bare deciduous trees on the left side behind the railing. Snow and some ice had accumulated on the path in the narrow parts of the canyon which don't receive much sunlight.

Woman running on path next to Clear Creek. The canyon is more open through this area, and because the path gets more sunlight there is no accumulated snow. Portions of CCR Trailhead parking lot and US Highway 6 are on the right side of the frame.

Man standing next to bicycle on the Perseverance Bridge just west of the CCR Trailhead parking lot. The bridge crosses over Clear Creek which is flowing through Clear Creek Canyon. He said it was his first time riding on this segment of the trail. He also noted that in addition to the more shaded areas of the trail, the bridges often had snow on them.

CCR Trailhead parking lot, completely empty. On a weekend! If the weather had been warmer the lot would have been full. Paved parking lot with painted parking space lines on left, sidewalk and railing in center, Clear Creek on right, mountainside in distance.

Nathan Cassell

4mo

Went for a walk up the Peaks to Plains Trail out of Golden this am. Was excited to discover the next segment west of Tunnel 1 is now open. A big milestone for the construction of this trail! Took the old wooden water flume on the way back.

Clear Creek flowing through Clear Creek Canyon west of Golden, Colorado. Water flowing toward bottom of frame, right and left banks lined with rocks and trees. Canyon mountainside in distance, blue sky above.

Water rushing past rocks in Clear Creek.

Peak to Plains Trail alongside Clear Creek in Clear Creek Canyon, rocky outcroppings on right and left sides of canyon walls, mostly cloudy sky above with small opening of blue peeking through on top left side of frame.

Historical wooden water flume converted to hiking trail, on mountainside of canyon wall in Clear Creek Canyon, Peaks to Plains trail visible down below. Cloudy sky above.

Nathan Cassell

5mo

Lots of construction continuing on the Peaks to Plains Trail. Hiked today from Big Easy (Jefferson County) to Oxbow/Tunnel 5 (Clear Creek County) and back. Beautiful weather.