Clear Creek Canyon/U.S. 6 | Exit 244

ON COLO. 119 - 4 MILES

IN BLACK HAWK - 10 MILES

Alternative Route to Golden Big Easy Trailhead Black Hawk Casino Gaming & Sports Betting Centennial Cone Park West Trailhead Clear Creek Canyon Park Eldora Ski Area (32 miles) Ice Climbing Mayhem Gulch Trailhead Oxbow Trailhead Prospecting

Centennial Cone Park/ Travois Trail n Mayhem Gulch/Juniper Loop Trail n Peaks to Plains Trail l This alternate scenic route from Idaho Springs to Golden follows U.S. 6 as it winds through Clear Creek Canyon next to Clear Creek. Passing through a narrow canyon with a series of tunnels, it offers dramatic scenery and gives access to ice climbing spots and trailheads in Clear Creek Canyon Park, Centennial Cone Park and the Peaks to Plains Trail. Heading west on Hwy. 119 — the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway — travelers can access casinos in Black Hawk and eventually the slopes of Eldora Mountain Resort near Nederland, as well as Rocky Mountain National Park, which is 70 miles north. BLACK HAWK

Ice climbing in Clear Creek Canyon

Black Hawk, with 24-hour casinos, sportsbooks, hotels, spas and restaurants ranging from steak houses to buffets, is a small city that has become a major regional gaming destination. The historic, mining-era town, which sits along the Peak to Peak Scenic & Historic Byway, is located north on Hwy. 119 about 10 miles from Exit 244. Hidden Treasure Trailhead north of town includes hiking and downhill biking trails. Check out visitblackhawk.org for details. CENTENNIAL CONE PARK Centennial Cone Park offers a near-backcountry experience, with a 12-mile trail loop that challenges stamina, offers sweeping views of Clear Creek and provides the opportunity to see elk and other wildlife over wide expanses. Hunting is allowed during a seasonal closure, and by permit only. Late-season hunting access occurs Dec. 1-Jan. 31. Centennial Cone West Trailhead, 2224 Douglas Mountain Dr. and Centennial Cone North Trailhead, 3956 Camino Perdido, access trails. Call 303-271-5925 or visit jeffco.us/1192/Centennial-Cone-Park for details. CLEAR CREEK CANYON PARK Clear Creek Canyon Park near the junction of U.S. 6 and Hwy. 119, three miles from Exit 244, offers unique recreation experiences including some of the area’s only ice climbing. The scenic park and its steep canyon walls run the length of the canyon along U.S. 6 from Golden to the intersection of Hwy. 119 where it connects to Clear Creek County Open Space. The most popular ice climbing areas include Coors Lite Area, Mickey’s Big Mouth, and Beer Garden. Mayhem Gulch and Clear Creek Canyon Big Easy trailheads offer parking, toilets and access to trails. Call 303-271-5925 or visit jeffco.us/1196/Clear-Creek-Canyon-Park for details. Go to visitgolden.com to connect with local ice climbing guides. OXBOW TRAILHEAD The Oxbow Trailhead area, located near Tunnel 5 on U.S. 6 in Clear Creek County, provides an important link for the Clear Creek Greenway between Clear Creek County and neighboring Jefferson County. At the same time, the Oxbow site is a destination unto itself with scenic beauty, wildlife, cultural history, and recreation amenities. The trailhead and parking area is temporarily closed due to trail construction, but the Clear Creek Greenway is open and accessible from Jefferson County Open Space trailheads. PEAKS TO PLAINS TRAIL The non-motorized Peaks to Plains Trail is paved, 10-feet-wide and ADA accessible. It makes for an easy snowClear Creek shoe hike or fat bike ride. Dogs are welcome, but must be leashed. It is accessible from several trailheads in the canyon. Visit jeffco.us/3792/Peaksto-Plains-Trail for information.