Hiking – Orbital Trail - Segment 15

After meeting BY 9:00 am AND DROPPING SHUTTLE CARS at the Cherry Creek State Park Visitor Center, https://maps.app.goo.gl/ogswesKkiv6B9QFZ9, we will drive up to near E. 6^th Ave and Chambers, parking in the furthest northeast corner of the Save-a-Lot parking lot along Chambers Rd. https://maps.app.goo.gl/R43qpxyfm3tbE5SYA.  All drivers should confirm their car has the state park Keep Colorado Wild Pass that is offered with their annual auto registration or a $10 -12 day pass will be required, even just to enter to drop off others. The pass goes with the car, not with the owner.

Since the distance between trailheads for the shuttle is short and many of us will be driving one direction or the other, there will be no carpool cost sharing for the shuttle. 

The first part of the hike will be down the Highline Canal. At Alameda we switch to the Toll Gate Trail and eventually join the Cherry Creek Spillway Trail, until we get back to Cherry Creek State Park and the Visitor Center. Drivers with cars there will shuttle the others back to their cars at the Save-a-Lot Parking Lot.

There are toilets at the Visitor Center, and we will be passing through or by Toll Gate Park and Horseshoe Park. 

Dress appropriately for the weather, including sunscreen and a hat, wind clothes.  Bring  a lunch and plenty of water.  Expect a cold start.  Microspikes may be required.

This route is exploratory for the trip leaders.  We will write a day or before trip day to review the weather and any logistical adjustments.

If you are interested in carpooling from somewhere further west, so indicate in a Registration Note and I will let the others know about that interest, but it will be up to you to arrange any carpool and the sharing costs.

See the two maps and download the two gpx tracks at AllTrails linked from the route place information down above the map but note that our group will be following the routes shown at AllTrails IN REVERSE, plus I have added an extra mile to account for the walk to the visitor center parking (only parking available) from where the official segment starts/ends at the park’s edge.