How long is the highline canal

The southern portion of the trail, from section 15 south, is unmatched for its surface, environment, and scenery. Once the trail enters Denver proper and Aurora, the upkeep, amenities parking locations, restrooms, water, and directional signage are greatly lacking.

I hope the Highline Canal Commission can dedicate resources to the start and ending sections of the trail to match the quality and public benefit of the middle sections. I have run all 27 sections and look forward to logging many more miles on the Highline Canal Trail. From here the trail is concrete and travels north and east going under I at 2nd. You go just a bit north before heading south. At Alameda and Expo park the trails veers to the west of the park and becomes a soft gravel and dirt trail.

You can stay on concrete through Expo Park on the Westerly Creek Tail, then near the south end of the park cross a bridge and rejoin the HCT where it is concrete again. You go east again and Cross Havana at a signal. After crossing the trail is asphalt and I believe you are in Denver now. From here on the trail is wooded and usually has shade. You can ride into the cemetery but the trail is closed and you have to go several blocks north to get out.

Then there is no sidewalk on Quebec and you have to cross without a light. Instead travel south on Valentia in a bike lane. At one point the sidewalk and bike lane were closed and you had to cross to continue. Then to Mississippi to Parker Rd, to an Apartment building with access to the trail. Back on the trail it is again wooded with shade. Shortly after the detour the is a bridge to Long's Pine Grove, a nice little park with shaded tables and a pump and repair station. There are restrooms and a water station but the restrooms are closed for the season and there is no water at the station.

But still a nice spot for a break. From here you ride along for a short bit then along the Cherry Creek Golf Course. Walked the whole trail in segments from August to late December Loved most of it. Spectacular views of the mountains and a great way to explore the burbs around Denver. Disappointed by lack of signage in many places and very annoyed that it ended unceremoniously without documentation.

The trail is not well marked and at mile 8. There are no trespassing signs through a farm and this is the only way to cut through back to Titan. Then you have to dangerously navigate running along titan and highway 85 for about a mile before seeing the trail again. Need an adrenaline rush on 85, go for it otherwise get on a different location if you are planning to go more than 8. The length of the trail makes it easy to go straight for many miles.

Approaching Santa Fe is where the trail seems to become really neglected. No crossing assistance whatsoever across Santa Fe is extremely dangerous. Once across Santa Fe heading SW, the trail is extremely rutted and then ends in the middle of nowhere with no signage or any instruction on how to get to the Chatfield section. Entering at the southern end by Chatfield Reservoir, the trail is very rough dirt and gravel. After a couple miles the trail suddenly stops and there is a gap with no directions to connect to the rest of the trail.

The trail headed north from hwy is packed gravel and in nice condition with rural scenery. There are lots of road crossings and many areas where the trail is unmarked and leaves you hanging. You can't ride 71 miles straight through as the trail info implies. I'm from Denver but don't live here anymore so I took the opportunity to enjoy part of the highline trail. The fourth section is the longest. The first 13 miles on this section is paved, it is followed by an unmaintained dirt road near its end.

Highline Canal National Recreation Trail is wonderful and is shaded for most parts. To make your hike even better, remember these few reminders. The trail is open year-round from 5 am to 11 pm.

Leashed pets are allowed but unauthorized motor vehicles, as well as swimming and other water activities, are strictly prohibited. Then turn left onto Waterton Road to Kassler Center.

Parking is at Discovery Pavilion or at Waterton Canyon. Website: nrtdatabase. This public outreach and vision planning effort is its first major initiative. This initiative will provide a vision for the future of the High Line Canal. The Conservancy will coordinate with other stakeholders and the High Line Canal Working Group members on its needs as it plans for and conducts the High Line Canal visioning process. Denver Water, the Conservancy and the partnership jurisdictions all share a common vision to secure the Canal as an asset for the future.

Why is there a planning initiative for the Canal and what is it? With the new reality of water in the West, the Canal has become a costly and wasteful means of delivering water. Denver Water reports that over 80 percent of the water diverted to the Canal seeps into the ground or evaporates prior to reaching a paying water customer. Why is there little to no water in the Canal? Denver Water intermittently operates the Canal from the spring through the fall to deliver water to contract holders for South Platte River water.

The delivery of water, however, is also dependent on water priority as set by the State Engineer and water rights laws. Therefore, the Canal does not run continuously in the summer and spring and is dry in the fall and winter. How can I get involved?

Keep informed and up to date through our blog. The blog will provide you with details about the planning process and directions for getting involved.

You can also sign up for our newsletter. Gold rush and settling of the South Platte and Cherry Creek regions. Idea of the High Line Canal formed, construction starts. Denver Water lifted its restrictions on the Canal and began a series of agreements with municipal agencies to maintain and safeguard the recreational trail.

Since , the Canal has spawned an entire ecosystem of its own as it meanders from Waterton Canyon southwest of Denver to its destination on the plains northeast of the city in Aurora. The Canal Through The Years. Connect With Us Follow the Conservancy on social media.