Directions:: From c470, take Sante Fe (US85) south to Titan Road.
Go west on Titan Road. The road will curve southward and change names, but no
turns are required.
Go past a three-way stop and through Roxborough Village. Look for a fire station on your
left and signs for Roxborough Park. At the firehouse, make a left and an immediate
right onto a dirt road and into
Roxborough State Park. ($5 daily fee)
Trail Information: The trail starts with a 0.6 mile warm up then
continues with a steady climb for the nexy 2.6 miles. Enjoy the great views of the
park and the Denver area on your way up.
Once at the top, you have a few options.
a) Return the way you came for a nice 6.4 mile out and back.
b) Descend the back side of Carpenter Peak. At a T-junction in the trail, you have
two options:
-Go left and the 3.0 mile trail with a slight but steady uphill grade will dead end at a
dirt road. Once at the dirt road, go
left again for another 3 miles back into the park. This dirt road will
intersect with the Carpenter Peak trail 0.6 miles from the park information center and
trailhead.
Total distance: ~9 miles
-Go right and enjoy 3 quiet and mostly downhill miles into Waterton Canyon. From
here you
can take 6 mile Waterton Canyon trail along the South Platte to the Waterton Canyon
parking area.
The total distance for this run is aroun 12.5 miles. You'll need two cars - one to
take into the park
and the other to leave at Waterton Canyon.
I have never seen another soul on either of these routes on the backside of Carpenter.
They are
beautiful and secluded. You don't want to be by yourself and twist an ankle back
there....
Miscellaneous Information: No bikes or pets allowed in Roxborough park.
Hikers (and runners) only.