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DIRECTIONS: From Denver, take I-70 west to Genesee, CO. Take the Chief Hosa exit and turn right onto Stapleton Road. Follow the dirt road to the east and park off the road at the turn into the Beaver Brook Trailhead.
The I-70 Bike Path is a paved multi-use trail that parallels the highway as it passes through Genesee Park. You know that spectacular view of the continental divide that you see driving west from Denver...this is the spot. This is also the spot along I-70 that you sometimes see Buffalo in the enclosures on either side of the road. The trail follows the fence along the Buffalo enclosure and is often a great way to view Denver's buffalo herd.
The trailhead for the segment of the trail following the buffalo enclosure is off of Stapleton Road, near the Genesee Park trailhead for the Beaver Brook/Chavez Trail. After exiting I-70 and turning right onto the good dirt road, follow it until the road curves into the park. On the left will be a Buffalo Herd Overlook with benches and interpretive signs, this is the trailhead. The trail heads east from here, slightly uphill. To the north you are treated to views of the foothills and the buffalo herd if you are lucky. As you hike along the trail, the view to the west (behind you) gets increasingly spectacular until the mountain view comes fully into focus. The trail leads to the popular buffalo viewing spot just off of the highway at Mt. Vernon Country Club Road. This destination is a great place to watch the herd...when they are grazing in this part of the park. Sometimes the herd crosses under the highway to the southern side of Genesee Park. Apparently, this herd was purchased by Denver in 1914 from Yellowstone National Park. This hike is a great way to get the kids out hiking. The Buffalo provide some entertainment for the kiddos and the paved trail is easy to walk, especially in the spring when surrounding trails are muddy from snowmelt. |
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