Beaver Creek Loop

The trailhead provides you with an outstanding preview of your hike. From the parking lot you can see the top of the ridge you’ll climb and hints of the two canyons that will take you to and from this ascent. Three information boards mark the beginning of the trail. Walk through the gate and down the dual track road into Banta Gulch. Veer to the left after about 150 yards and head north toward the red rocks. The track will narrow as you approach the starting point for the loop.

At this point you can leave the main trail for about 400 yards and visit Beaver Creek for the first time. This takes you to a quite, sheltered place along the creek. Past this point the trail is alternately rough and well groomed, up to the loop start point.

You can go either way at this point. I recommend turning right onto Trail Gulch Trail (redundant, I know; but I’m just the reporter). From here, the trail runs along a dry creek bed, crossing it many times on the way up its length. You’ll climb about 400 ft to the junction of this trail and Powerline Trail. The creek may seem dry, but as you traverse it, note the fullness of the vegetation through which you’re walking; there’s water under your feet. The vegetation changes as you go north, from dense grasses to stands of ponderosa pine.

Trail Gulch continues north to Rosemont Reservoir on Gold Camp Rd. To complete Beaver Creek Loop though, you’ll need to turn north on Powerline Trail. From here you’ll climb – about 1000 ft over the next mile. While tempted to keep your eyes down on the path in front of you, make the effort to lift them up to take in the new vistas that each cut across the mountain opens to you. At the top of the first summit (yes, as always there are two summits), you’ll be able to look south and see your car in the trailhead parking lot, along with a dramatic view of the valley between Pueblo and Canon City, and the Wet Mountains beyond.

Now in the western edge of the ridge, you’ll begin your descent into the Beaver Creek canyon. Along the trail there are a few of the old power poles and some of the ceramic insulators on which the wire was strung. The canyon is actually two canyons. West and East Beaver Creeks meet at the bottom of the hill. You’ll be able to see this more clearly as you descend and the rock formations unmask their true faces.

You have a choice here. If you continue down the trail, you’ll arrive at the river. You’ll actually be at the East creek; the two creeks join just a few yards from where the trail ends. You can turn south at this point and find your way back to the beginning of the loop. You’ll have to cross the creek three or four times to accomplish this. It’s an interesting trek. I’ve done it. OR, you can turn left at this point and follow a trail above the creek bed (more or less). Following this trail will take you down to the creek a couple of times, but it always brings you back up along the canyon wall. As you walk down the canyon note the mountains across from you -- the northern one un-named, the southern one, Sugarloaf. These help you keep a sense of progress as you move along the path.

Near the end is one last dip to the canyon floor. The trail will take you to a cliff face. Again, you can choose to climb over the face of the cliff or cross the creek to get around it. I’ve done both; be wise as you determine how much mountain goat DNA you acquired from your ancestors (or how tired you are at this point, or whether or not you need to show off). [Notice these two pictures were taken in two different seasons; water level may help you make up your mind.]