Cherry Creek Trail and Bayou Gulch Loop

This approximately 27.3 km loop is designed for jogging and generally takes around 2 hours and 53 minutes to complete, depending on your pace and any stops you make.

The loop is considered difficult for jogging, primarily due to its length. The terrain itself varies from easy, flat paved sections on the Cherry Creek Trail to easy to intermediate rolling natural paths on the Bayou Gulch sections.

You'll experience a diverse mix of surfaces. The Cherry Creek Trail portion is mostly an 8-foot-wide concrete path, with some gravel sections, offering a generally flat and smooth experience. The Bayou Gulch sections transition to softer, undulating natural paths through prairies and riparian areas.

The scenery is quite varied. The Cherry Creek Trail offers views ranging from urban landscapes and parks to open meadows and wooded areas, especially as it passes through Cherry Creek State Park. The Bayou Gulch sections provide a more natural, open space feel with expansive prairie views, grasslands, and unique riparian zones.

While there isn't one single designated parking lot for this specific combined loop, both the Cherry Creek Trail and Bayou Gulch Trail have numerous access points with parking. For the Bayou Gulch section, consider parking at Bayou Gulch Regional Park. For the Cherry Creek Trail, various parks and trailheads along its extensive length offer parking options.

Yes, both the Cherry Creek Trail and Bayou Gulch Trail are generally dog-friendly. However, always ensure your dog is on a leash and that you clean up after them. Specific rules may vary slightly in different park sections, so keep an eye out for signage.

The trail is accessible year-round. Spring and fall offer pleasant temperatures and beautiful scenery. Even in winter, the Cherry Creek Trail is often plowed and salted, making it a viable option. However, the natural surfaces of Bayou Gulch may be more challenging with snow or ice.

Generally, there are no specific permits required to jog on the Cherry Creek Trail or Bayou Gulch Trail themselves. However, if your route takes you through Cherry Creek State Park, there may be entrance fees for vehicles. Bayou Gulch Regional Park typically does not have an entrance fee for trail access.

Yes, this route utilizes several official trails. The majority of the loop follows the Cherry Creek Trail and the Bayou Gulch Open Space Trail. It also intersects with sections of the Colorado Front Range Trail, Bayou Gulch Park Trail, Lemon Gulch Trail, and Stroh Ranch Trail, offering excellent regional connectivity.

This loop is notable for its exceptional variety and regional connectivity. It offers a seamless transition from the structured, paved surfaces of the Cherry Creek Trail, which is well-maintained year-round, to the more rugged, scenic beauty of the natural, rolling dirt paths of Bayou Gulch. This combination provides a dynamic and engaging long-distance jogging experience.

Yes, you can jog parts of this loop in winter. The Cherry Creek Trail is known for being plowed and salted, making it accessible even after snowfall. However, the Bayou Gulch sections, with their natural surfaces, may become icy or muddy and more challenging to navigate in winter conditions. Always check local conditions before heading out.