Big Dry Creek Open Space

Bull Reservoir & Metzger Ponds via Big Dry Creek Trail

4.7 mi · ▲ 53 ft · 1 hr 36 min

Bull Reservoir & Metzger Ponds via Big Dry Creek Trail is a 4.7-mile out-and-back in Big Dry Creek Open Space near Brandywine, CO. The route passes Metzger Ponds before reaching Bull Reservoir at the turnaround, 2.3 miles in. It is mostly level, with 53 ft of elevation gain, and mostly paved. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi5,187 – 5,256 ft5.5 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 39.91370, -105.04175
Nearest town Brandywine, CO

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Bull Reservoir & Metzger Ponds via Big Dry Creek Trail

4.7 mi · ▲ 53 ft · 1 hr 36 min

Elevation 5,187–5,257 ft

Out & Back · Big Dry Creek Open Space

Trailhead: 39.91370, -105.04175

Weather Sep 4: Overcast, high 95°F / low 60° · precip 8% · wind 8 mph · sunrise 6:32 AM · sunset 7:29 PM

Transit-accessible: 120th Ave / Bradburn Blvd (E) stop 52 m from the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading E.
  2. 0.4 miTurn right, heading E.
  3. 0.3 miPass Metzger Ponds.
  4. 150 ftTurn left onto Big Dry Creek Trail, heading NE.
  5. 1.2 miTurn right, heading E.
  6. 0.1 miSharp right, heading E.
  7. 50 ftSharp left onto Home Farm Trail, heading E.
  8. 50 ftBear right, heading E.
  9. 150 ftBear left, heading N.
  10. 250 ftBear left, heading N.
  11. 300 ftTurn right, heading NE.
  12. 0.2 miReach Bull Reservoir, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  13. 0.2 miTurn left, heading E.
  14. 300 ftBear right, heading NE.
  15. 250 ftBear right, heading NE.
  16. 200 ftSharp right, heading SW.
  17. 50 ftSharp left, heading SW.
  18. 0.1 miTurn left onto Big Dry Creek Trail, heading SW.
  19. 0.4 miBear right, heading W.
  20. 0.8 miTurn right, heading SW.
  21. 0.3 miTurn left, heading SW.
  22. 0.2 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

70% paved8% gravel7% dirt15% unspecified

Weather

OvercastTemperature 95°F60°
Feels like84°Precip8%Wind8 mphUV7Humidity17%
Rained 0.1″ 5 days ago
Hourly temperature
95°60°
Sunrise 6:32 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PMSunset 7:29 PM
Sat 93°65°
Sun 93°62° 20%
Mon 91°75° 36%
Tue 88°70° 22%
Wed 88°67° 23%
Thu 93°69° 23%

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.9 mi in (~46 min). Leave by 6:22 PM for the 7:29 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:31 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Transit-accessible: 120th Ave / Bradburn Blvd (E) stop 52 m from the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

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