Bluff Lake Nature Center Viewpoint–Bluff Lake, 3 sights
3.7 mi · ▲ 93 ft · 1 hr 17 min
Bluff Lake Nature Center Viewpoint–Bluff Lake, 3 sights is a 3.7-mile out-and-back in Sand Creek Park near Hillcrest Village, CO. The route passes Bluff Lake Nature Center Viewpoint before reaching Bluff Lake at the turnaround, 1.8 miles in. It is mostly level, with 93 ft of elevation gain. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Bluff Lake Nature Center Viewpoint–Bluff Lake, 3 sights
3.7 mi · ▲ 93 ft · 1 hr 17 min
Elevation 5,290–5,356 ft
Out & Back · Sand Creek Park
Trailhead: Sand Creek Trail · 39.75688, -104.81956
Weather Sep 5: Overcast, high 92°F / low 63° · precip 5% · wind 7 mph · sunrise 6:32 AM · sunset 7:26 PM
Transit-accessible: Sable Blvd & E 30th Ave stop 31 m from the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Sand Creek Trail, heading W.
- 0.8 miContinue straight onto Sand Creek Regional Greenway, heading W.
- 0.2 miTurn right, heading W.
- 0.2 miBear left, heading W.
- 0.2 miTurn left, heading W.
- 0.1 miContinue straight onto Sand Creek Trail, heading NW.
- 50 ftTurn right, heading NW.
- 50 ftBear left, heading NW.
- 50 ftTurn right, heading NW.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading NW.
- 50 ftBear right, heading NW.
- 50 ftSharp left, heading NW.
- 50 ftSharp right, heading NW.
- 200 ftBear right, heading NW.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading SW.
- 0.2 miPass Bluff Lake.
- 200 ftReach Bluff Lake Nature Center Viewpoint, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.2 miTurn right, heading W.
- 50 ftBear left, heading NW.
- 200 ftSharp left, heading NW.
- 50 ftSharp right, heading NW.
- 50 ftBear left, heading NW.
- 50 ftTurn right, heading NW.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading NW.
- 50 ftBear right, heading NW.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading NW.
- 0.2 miContinue straight onto Sand Creek Regional Greenway, heading NW.
- 0.2 miTurn right, heading SE.
- 0.2 miTurn right, heading SE.
- 0.2 miContinue straight onto Sand Creek Trail, heading E.
- 0.8 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.6 mi in (~39 min). Leave by 6:27 PM for the 7:26 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:21 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Transit-accessible: Sable Blvd & E 30th Ave stop 31 m from the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Sand Creek Trail Trailhead
- Sand Creek Regional Greenway 2.5 mi · ▲ 53 ft
- Morrison Naure Center Viewpoint via Sand Creek Trail 2.8 mi · ▲ 27 ft
- Toll Gate Creek Trail & Tollgate Creek Trail 5.6 mi · ▲ 59 ft
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Hikes near Hillcrest Village, Colorado