Trail areas in Douglas County being repaired after rainfall damage

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Douglas County wants outdoor recreators to be aware of damage to several trail spots that are under repair after heavy rainfall in June.

Hidden Mesa Trail and Open Space — along state Highway 83 in the Franktown area — saw damage after water washed out parts of the trail amid heavy rainfall. Repairs are underway, the county said in a July 3 news release.

“For safety, the trailhead at Hidden Mesa is closed, starting Saturday, June 24,” the county’s website says, adding: “As crews work on repairs, the trail will remain closed until further notice.”

See the county’s website at tinyurl.com/HiddenMesa for current closure information.

Spots along the Cherry Creek from Castlewood Canyon to the area just south of the Town of Parker have also seen heavy weather impacts, according to the news release.

“Recent heavy rainfall has destroyed all bridge crossings over Cherry Creek in Castlewood Canyon State Park,” a June 27 news release from Colorado Parks and Wildlife said. Castlewood Canyon State Park sits in the Franktown area in rural eastern Douglas County.

The state parks agency warned visitors that “there is no path to cross the creek in the park at this time.”

“Hikers should consider any loop trails to be out-and-backs. Creek Bottom Trail also suffered significant damage,” the agency’s news release said.

Bridge repair work will take weeks and may not be complete before August. Park staff cannot begin construction until water levels recede.

Along Cherry Creek Trail to the north of Castlewood Canyon — on portions of the trail maintained by Douglas County — several intersections are also closed intermittently due to water damage, according to the county.

From state Highway 86 north to Scott Avenue, the county advised traveling with caution along the trail.

“Standing water and erosion have been found on the trail under Highway 86, at Bayou Gulch Open Space Trail, just south of Scott Avenue and under Scott Avenue,” the county’s release said. “Crews are working to repair and maintain this trail and advise you to turn around if you encounter standing water.”

The impact of recent rainfall has been stark at Castlewood Canyon. Castlewood Canyon has received 14.01 inches of rain since Jan. 1, according to the National Weather Service, as cited by the state parks agency’s June 27 news release.

“Creek levels are two feet above normal operating levels. The high level mark was recorded last Thursday at 9.5 feet, with normal creek levels considered to be between two to three feet,” the agency’s June 27 release said.

Updates on construction and trail conditions at Castlewood Canyon will be posted to the park’s Facebook page at facebook. com/CastlewoodCanyonPark and the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Northeast Region Twitter account at twitter.com/CPW_NE.