Mitchell Creek Canyon

Nearby Destinations

Castle Rock, CO

Nearby Guides

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Length: 2.9 miles / 4.7 km

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Overview: This 1.5 mile trail is a great example of the ecology and geography of the Castle Rock area. It offers much of the same experience as the nearby castlewood canyon with out the crowds. This trail is fun and there is beauty to be found here, however, I wouldn't drive more than 30 minutes to visit this trail. The trail climbs to the western rim of the canyon which it follows for the majority of the hike. The trail can be accessed from the "founders village" mitchell creek trail system as described in this guide or from the hidden Mesa open space off highway 86 Mountain bikes and horses are prohibited. Dogs must be leashed.

Tips: * Keep small dogs on a leash as coyote are common in this area.

* Wear shoes with good support the trail is quite rocky.

* There are benches along the trail that make for a nice picnic spot.

* Mosquitoes can be a problem here in mid to late summer especially near dawn and dusk.

* If accessed from hidden mesa the trail is a nice place to snowshoe after 8 or more inches of fresh snowfall

* You can bike to the native surface trailhead. There are several miles of paved bike trails.

* If you like disk golf there is a disk golf course in Matney Park close by.

Points of Interest

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Trailhead

this trail can be accessed from many different points throughout founders village. This trailhead location is the closest to the Mitchel Canyon Trail.

Park along wagonwheel trail near the transformer. There is no parking lot or facilities at this trailhead.

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Follow Paved Trail

You will join the Mitchel Canyon Trail System at this junction. Stay straight ahead here.

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Mitchel Canyon Trailhead

Look for this sign marking the native surface trail that takes you down the canyon.

There are bike racks and a bench at this location.

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Follow the Cairns

After you gain the rim of the canyon the trail becomes faint and difficult to follow in the rocky ground. The trail has been marked by Cairns every few hundred feet. Keep your eyes sharp and follow these.

If you lose the trail just follow the canyon rim.

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Canyon Views

As the canyon begins to open up take some side trips over to the edge to see some nice views of Franktown, and the canyon.

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Continue through the Gate

You will come to a small gate like structure you will continue through this

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HIdden Mesa Loop Trail

This is the intersection with the Hidden Mesa Open space loop. You can hike this loop to add ~3 miles to your hike.

Or if you make a right turn you can hike ~.5 mile for some views of Franktown