DIRECTIONS:

From Denver take C470 and exit at S. Wadsworth Blvd.  Follow S. Wadsworth south until you pass by the Waterton Canyon Parking Area.  The road then becomes Waterton Road as you bear left.  Make a right on N. Rampart Range Rd.  Take this road until it ends and you see the signs for Roxborough SP.  When you enter the park you follow the good dirt road to the small Willow Creek Trailhead and parking area before you reach the visitor's center.  

HIKE DESCRIPTION:

Bear Canyon Trail is one of the newest additions to Roxborough State Park, and a welcome one! The short and easy trail leads to Willow Creek Falls, but since this waterfall is a mere trickle 99% of the time, the hike is really about the views of, what I assume is considered Bear Canyon. First things first, from the Willow Creek Trailhead, hike along the Willow Creek Trail, staying right at the first Junction. You want to be following signs for Carpenter Peak rather than South Rim Trail. Turn left at the second junction and stay straight at the third junction just a few minutes past the second. At this point you should be crossing County Road 5, the big maintained dirt road that cuts through Roxborough. The red rock formations are incredible as you hike towards the County Road.

Cross the road and head up the Carpenter Peak Trail for 300 ft until you see the Bear Canyon Trail heading off to the left over a footbridge. From this point, the Bear Canyon Trail travels across the hillside for 0.6 mile. The trail mostly cuts across open meadow, with patches of evergreen trees every now and then. The view to the east of the massive red rock canyon walls is impressive and the main draw of this hike. As you near the falls area, the trail gets a bit more wooded. The trail then descends down to a stone staircase and “patio” with views of Willow Creek Falls. If there is running water trickling down the boulders, consider yourself lucky…chances are the falls will be dry…still, this is a cool spot to relax. The return follows the same route with plenty of options for longer hikes.