Waterton Canyon Hike (Pace & Distance Your Choice)

About this event

This is the time of year where it’s possible to see bighorn sheep in rut! Adult rams generally stay segregated from ewes, except during the rut…when rams battle each other, cracking horns, to test dominance within the herd. Maybe we’ll get lucky and see a battle.

For me, this will be a faster-paced hike…3.5 to 4mph. On this hike, each person can go as fast and as far as they like, then head back. So the group may not stay together. I’ll likely go at least as far as Rattlesnake Rest Area & maybe all the way to the dam if the weather is good.

Difficulty: to Rattlesnake Rest Area and back is about 9.75 miles. All the way to the Dam and back is about 13.5 miles. But you may head back sooner and make it a shorter hike. Elevation gain is minimal.

HIKE DESCRIPTION: The Waterton Canyon trail winds alongside the South Platte River through thick cottonwood trees and towering canyon cliffs. The views are pretty of the South Platte River rushing through Waterton Canyon with rugged hillsides on either side. The area has a great deal of wildlife, including the possibility of seeing Rocky Mountain Big Horn Sheep. We will do the following hike in alltrails, but you may choose your distance: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/waterton-canyon-trail

DOGS: NOT ALLOWED in order to protect the Bighorn Sheep.

ADDRESS/DIRECTIONS: We will meet at the Waterton Canyon parking lot. From C-470, exit at CO 121/Wadsworth Blvd. and go south past the entrance for Chatfield State Park. At Waterton Rd., go left/southeast and the parking lot is the second entrance on the left. Alternatively you can click on the alltrails,link above for directions. Or if you use Apple Maps or Google Maps, you can type in “Waterton Canyon Parking” to get directions.

We wait 5 minutes for late arrivals…but no longer as that is inconsiderate to those arriving timely. So please allow extra time to get to the trailhead.

IMPORTANT: This is a participate at your own risk event! Life is risky. I am not a professional guide and am simply hosting this event. By signing up for this hike you acknowledge that you are capable of performing this hike and that you are solely responsible for your own safety.

NO SHOWS: If you are a no-show to 2 hikes, you will be booted from this meetup group. So please change your RSVP to “not going” if you are unable to make it.

WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING: Water, snacks, layers of clothing, good hiking shoes/boots, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, gloves, hiking poles (if you find them helpful), and anything else you deem essential.

WEATHER: Here is the NOAA forecast for the hike location. For hourly temps, wind, precipitation, etc., click “Hourly Weather Forecast” in the upper right. https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-105.12534270171545&lat=39.45648202292989#.Y9psHy9lBvI

REQUIRED WAIVER: Note that if you have not already done so, you must sign the updated waiver with our new meetup name prior to this hike. I will have copies at the trailhead that you can sign or you may print, sign, and bring it with you from the following website: https://www.dropbox.com/s/p728z28jjuwdzws/Waiver%20Corona.pdf?dl=0 If you choose to sign at the trailhead, please arrive early so that we can depart for the hike timely.

From Rise and Hike! Fit & Fun Weekday Hikers