MTB Project Logo
Climb
MTB
Hike
Trailrun
Ski
Limited Time70% OffonX Backcountry

Deer Creek Canyon

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Difficult Difficult
 4.2 (122)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Front Range
  4. …Ken Caryl
  5. Deer Creek Canyon Park
Explore MTB in 3D
Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.
Previous Next

“A technical downhill earned the Colorado way. ”

Ryan Hickman
Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Google Map
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

10.2

Miles

16.5

KM

80%

Singletrack

7,424' 2,263 m

High

6,047' 1,843 m

Low

1,960' 597 m

Up

1,959' 597 m

Down

7%

Avg Grade (4°)

23%

Max Grade (13°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Allowed

Features Drops/Jumps · Technical

Overview

Like many trails on the front range, you'll earn your downhill on this trail. This trail is known for a technical uphill featuring an obstacle known as "The Wall". Once past the difficult uphill you are presented with views of the Denver cityscape and surrounding southern metro area.

The downhill erases any bad memories of the climb causing you to plan your next visit while packing up your gear at the car.

Need to Know

Several hiking-only trails intersect with both the Plymouth Mountain and Red Mesa trails. Signage is good at all intersections so take a map or the MTB Project mobile app, and know which trails are for mountain biking.

Description

Start your ride on the Plymouth Mountain Trail heading up a short but steep drainage. It's a 2 mile obstacle filled climb that's a lung buster for all but the superhuman.

To make the climb even more interesting, towards its end you'll hit "The Wall", a stretch of granite steps and loose rock unrideable by most. For those of us without legs of steel, the adjoining stairs of shame present an optional bypass.

As the trail levels out, you'll have the option of riding the mellower Red Mesa Loop or Plymouth Mountain Trail. Both loops provide scenic views of the southern Denver metro area and are rideable by an intermediate rider.

The loops can be enjoyable in either direction. A short excursion up Plymouth Mountain Summit Trail takes you to its summit and a rock outcropping with more scenic views.

Between the whoop-de-doos, obstacles, and steep descent, heading back down will definitely put a smile on your face. However, due to its proximity to Denver, this trail gets busy so be sure to lookout and stop for hikers and horses on your way down.

History & Background

Contacts

Land Manager: Jefferson County, CO - Open Space Dept.

Shared By:

Ryan Hickman with improvements by Liz
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.2 from 122 votes

#1

in Deer Creek Canyon Park

#154

Overall
  4.2 from 122 votes
5 Star
42%
4 Star
37%
3 Star
16%
2 Star
5%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Deer Creek Canyon Park

#47

in Colorado

#154

Overall
54 Views Last Month
47,497 Since Jun 7, 2013
Difficult Difficult
0%
0%
1%
4%
90%
6%
Add a Photo

Photos

The mix of technical and flowing trail at Deer Creek Canyon makes for stupid fun riding!
May 5, 2017 near Ken Caryl, CO
Recently the descent down Plymouth Mountain was quite eerie...
Jun 6, 2018 near Ken Caryl, CO
DH level downhill after a long, anaerobic climb!
Mar 18, 2016 near Ken Caryl, CO
Danielle thoroughly enjoying the full squish after riding Deer Creek too many times on a HT.
Sep 16, 2017 near Ken Caryl, CO
The dreaded "wall". This thing is a beast. No pictures can capture the size and intensity.
Jul 6, 2016 near Ken Caryl, CO
Flying down the downhills on Plymouth Mountain Trail.
Jun 3, 2017 near Ken Caryl, CO

10 Comments

Sort by: Oldest Drop down
Newest Oldest Popular
loading

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Bad / Closed 80 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Sep 17, 2024
Mark Vorel
Just checked All Trails and the Jefferson County sites - All trails on Plymouth Mtn are closed due to the fire at the end of August.
Oct 23, 2023
Jason Sisk
The lower portion of Plymouth Creek Trail has been significantly rebuilt. Far more rideable now that many of the waterbars have been removed. 7.5mi — 2h 00m
Oct 22, 2023
John McMillin
Apr 8, 2023
Jud Whiteneck
lots of snow, ice, and mud — 8h 00m
Oct 21, 2022
Tommy Plunkert
6.4mi — 1h 30m
Oct 21, 2022
Brian K
1h 45m
Aug 15, 2022
Brian K
2h 00m
Aug 12, 2022
Samuel Knuth
Difficult uphill for a couple fun loops and some gnarly downhill on the wall. 14.5mi

Nearby Recommended Routes

Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started