Near Centennial Cone Loop
Mid March 2019
Near Centennial Cone Loop
Mid March 2019
Near Centennial Cone Loop
Well marked trails
Near Centennial Cone Loop
Mid March 2019
Near Centennial Cone Loop
View of Clear Creek Canyon from a highpoint on the trail

Looking for more photos?

View All Photos
Driving Directions
Hike Route

Centennial Cone Loop

4.5 (42 Ratings)
This hike links all the major trails available at Centennial Cone Park into a big, fun loop.
17
mi
Distance
2,680
ft
Gain
moderate
Difficulty
Fall ColorsRiver/CreekViewsWildflowersWildlife
Access Issues
During the summer months there is an odd/even weekend day split between pedestrians/horses and mountain bikers. Check with Jeffco Parks for the calendar.Even days = bikesOdd days = hikers/runners

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
16.97mi
Distance
2,680ft
Elevation Gain
2,680ft
Elevation Loss
60%
Max Grade
7,906ft
High Point
6,795ft
Low Point
Path Type
Loop
Description
Starting at the Mayhem Gulch parking area, head up the Mayhem Gulch Trail, which is a nice warm-up. At the first intersection, take a right at the junction with the Juniper Trail. Continue up Mayhem Gulch on this trail, enjoying the views down into the drainage. Turning a corner, the car noise from Clear Creek Road vanishes. Entering a nice ponderosa stand, take in the bird sounds, as you head left (west) at the next intersection onto the Travois Trail. A right at the upper intersection with the Juniper Trail leads to the Centennial Cone road parking area. Continue on the Travois Trail, until you come to another intersection. You'll want to stay right here onto the Elk Range Trail, following this doubletrack uphill as it gradually winds through large open spaces and a few stands of pine. There are two spots where the trail leads through private property on this section, please respect the signage and property. At the North trailhead, the loop bears to the right on the North end of the Travois Trail on awesome singletrack. Follow a drainage and continue across a bridge where Travois Trail leads to the Evening Sun Loop trail. Enjoy the views into a drainage here as this fun section traverses around a small hill. Follow Travois Trail South (right) at the intersection. This will eventually lead to the top of a spectacular ridge. From here, enjoy some nice downhill, cross a creek at a bridge and begin a longer climb back through a section of pine. Once on top, it is mostly downhill all the way past the Mayhem Gulch Trail intersection to the Juniper Trail junction. A left here leads down the Juniper Trail, then the Mayhem Gulch Trail and back to the parking area.

Route Conditions

Report Conditions
No Condition Reports
Report Conditions

Nearby Hike Routes

Chavez and Beaver Brook Trail Loop

Classic Hike Route

Chavez and Beaver Brook Trail Loop

Birding
strenuous
4.98 mi
+1,135 ft
Genesee Mountain Trail Loop

Hike Route

Genesee Mountain Trail Loop

Less Crowded
easy
3.65 mi
+440 ft
Elk Meadow Loop

Hike Route

Elk Meadow Loop

Birding
moderate
5.07 mi
+594 ft
Lookout Mountain Nature Center Forest Loop

Hike Route

Lookout Mountain Nature Center Forest Loop

Wildflowers
easy
0.6 mi
+91 ft
Beaver Brook Out and Back

Classic Hike Route

Beaver Brook Out and Back

Dogs Allowed
strenuous
6.83 mi
+1,410 ft
Lookout Mountain Trail

Hike Route

Lookout Mountain Trail

Views
easy
4.5 mi
+812 ft
Contributors
John Scalese