GO HIKE COLORADO
Get in Touch:
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • HIKES BY REGION
    • DENVER AREA >
      • Denver Mountain Parks
      • Jefferson County Open Space
      • Lakewood Parks
      • Denver Area Greenways
    • BOULDER AREA
    • DOUGLAS COUNTY
    • FORT COLLINS AREA
    • COLORADO SPRINGS AREA
    • FRONT RANGE
    • TENMILE & MOSQUITO RANGES
    • GORE RANGE
    • SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS
    • PARK RANGE
    • SAWATCH RANGE
    • ELK MOUNTAINS
    • SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS
    • THE FLAT TOPS
    • GRAND MESA
    • COLORADO PLATEAU
    • EASTERN PLAINS
  • NATIONAL PARK HIKES
    • BENT'S OLD FORT NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE
    • BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON NATIONAL PARK
    • COLORADO NATIONAL MONUMENT
    • CURECANTI NATIONAL RECREATION AREA
    • DINOSAUR NATIONAL MONUMENT
    • FLORISSANT FOSSIL BEDS NATIONAL MONUMENT
    • MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK
    • ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK
    • GREAT SAND DUNES NATIONAL PARK
    • HOVENWEEP NATIONAL MONUMENT
    • SAND CREEK MASSACRE NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE
    • YUCCA HOUSE NATIONAL MONUMENT
  • HIKES BY CATEGORY
    • HIKES TO ALPINE LAKES
    • HIKES TO PEAKS & PASSES
    • HIKES THROUGH CANYONS
    • HIKES WITH FALL COLORS
    • HIKES ALONG THE I-70 CORRIDOR
    • HIKES ON PAVED TRAILS
    • HIKES FOR KIDS
    • HIKES TO WATERFALLS
    • HIKES ALONG RIVERS
    • HIKES WITH ROCK FORMATIONS
    • HIKES WITH WILDFLOWERS
    • WINTER HIKES
  • NEWS
  • WEBCAMS
  • $UPPORT GHC
  • INTERACTIVE MAP

Sand Creek Greenway
​Triple Creek Trailhead South

Date Hiked: April 9, 2020

Distance: 3 mi (RT)
Elevation Gain: minimal
Elevation: 5,450 ft
Managing Agency: Arapaho County Parks
Fee: None

Sand Creek Greenway Website


DIRECTIONS: From I-70 exit Tower Road and head south.  Turn right (west) on Colfax Street and turn left into the Triple Creek Trailhead.
The easternmost section of the Sand Creek Greenway is especially nice.  The trail passes through and near a densely vegetation section along Sand Creek.  With Buckley Air Force Base to the south, the surrounding areas are wide open giving the trail a natural and open setting.

The newly built Triple Creek Trailhead provides access to both the Sand Creek Greenway as well as the High Line Canal Trail, the two trails intersect.  The Sand Creek Greenway (also known as the Triple Creek Greenway here) heads north and south from the trailhead,  Cross the bridge and follow the paved trail south.  Cross the High Line Canal Trail and continue through a forested area.  The next intersection is for the paved "Sports Park Connector Trail."  Cross the intersection and follow the gravel Sand Creek Greenway Trail.

The trail skirts a golf course on the right and climbs up a gentle hill to look down on Sand Creek.  This part of Sand Creek is beautiful with a dense forest of Cottonwood Trees that should be spectacular in the fall.  In the winter you can tell that there are some hiking trails that explore the forest, I look forward to returning in the fall to explore these trails.

As you reach the end of the golf course, the Sand Creek Trail turns left (east).  Just before this turn, there are two single track dirt trails that head east as well.  One trail sticks to the bottom of a gully, the other follows the top of the ridge.  I suggest taking the trail along the ridge.  The views are fantastic from this stretch.  Looking down on the cottonwoods and off into the wide open distance.  

The trail soon leaves the ridge and heads down into the forest for a few minutes of hiking.  Enjoy this section as it passes through dense tree cover and along scenic streams and tributaries of Sand Creek.  The Trail eventually regains to the ridge and then intersects with Sand Creek.  At the point of intersection there is another trail that heads into the woods but at this time of year, the trail soon becomes a stream.  Head back to the Sand Creek Trail. 

Following the Sand Creek Trail now, you have the option of taking a sandy equestrian trail for a short while, this trail returns to the Sand Creek Trail is short order.  You can then follow the Sand Creek Trail down to the Sand Creek Riparian Preserve, or turn around and head back to the Triple Creek Trailhead.  On the way back follow the Sand Creek Trail rather than the forest trails, you get a different perspective and some good views of the Front Range mountains on a clear day. 

On your way back you can try to explore more of the social trails that run through the wooded area.  Just after the junction with the trail along the ridge, keep an eye out for a trail, head down the steep embankment to find the trail, this trail will take you past a nice pond and back north along the creek.  The trail leaves the forest at the intersection with the Sports Park Connector Trail. 

With all the options for social hiking trails, the dense cottonwood forest, and the wide open vistas this section of the Sand Creek Greenway is a worth hike and a fun place to explore in the Denver Area.  
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.