AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes
Cherry Creek Dam Outlet Structure.png
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers · Public domain
Cherry Creek State Park

Cherry Creek Reservoir–Beach (No Swim), 6 sights

6.4 mi · ▲ 54 ft · 2 hr 10 min

Cherry Creek Reservoir–Beach (No Swim), 6 sights is a 6.4-mile out-and-back in Cherry Creek State Park near Sundown, CO. The route passes Cherry Creek Reservoir, Beach (No Swim) and Swim Beach. It is mostly level, with 54 ft of elevation gain. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi5,551 – 5,604 ft7.7 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: 12-Mile North 39.62544, -104.83276
Nearest town Sundown, CO
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Cherry Creek Reservoir–Beach (No Swim), 6 sights

6.4 mi · ▲ 54 ft · 2 hr 10 min

Elevation 5,552–5,605 ft

Out & Back · Cherry Creek State Park

Trailhead: 12-Mile North · 39.62544, -104.83276

Weather Sep 6: sunrise 6:33 AM · sunset 7:24 PM

No dogs on part of this route · Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading W.
  2. 0.3 miBear right, heading N.
  3. 0.2 miTurn left, heading N.
  4. 50 ftContinue straight onto Pipeline Trail, heading N.
  5. 150 ftContinue straight onto Parker Road Trail, heading N.
  6. 0.1 miTurn left, heading N.
  7. 0.2 miContinue straight onto Smoky Hill Trail, heading N.
  8. 450 ftPass Cherry Creek Reservoir.
  9. 150 ftBear left, heading W.
  10. 50 ftTurn right, heading W.
  11. 0.5 miPass Beach (No Swim).
  12. 50 ftPass Swim Beach.
  13. 50 ftTurn right, heading N.
  14. 150 ftTurn left, heading NW.
  15. 50 ftContinue straight onto Smoky Hill (Alternate), heading NW.
  16. 150 ftTurn right onto Smoky Hill Trail (Alternate), heading NW.
  17. 0.1 miContinue straight onto Smoky Hill Trail, heading E.
  18. 0.3 miSharp left, heading E.
  19. 50 ftTurn left, heading E.
  20. 50 ftTurn right, heading E.
  21. 50 ftBear left, heading E.
  22. 100 ftTurn left onto Dam Trail, heading E.
  23. 200 ftTurn left, heading NW.
  24. 50 ftTurn right, heading NW.
  25. 50 ftBear right, heading NW.
  26. 50 ftBear right, heading NW.
  27. 1.2 miReach Cherry Creek Reservoir, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  28. 1.2 miBear right, heading NE.
  29. 50 ftBear left, heading NE.
  30. 50 ftTurn left, heading NE.
  31. 250 ftTurn right onto Smoky Hill Trail, heading NE.
  32. 100 ftBear right, heading NE.
  33. 50 ftTurn left, heading NE.
  34. 100 ftTurn left, heading NE.
  35. 0.1 miBear right, heading NE.
  36. 0.2 miContinue straight onto Smoky Hill Trail (Alternate), heading NE.
  37. 500 ftTurn left onto Smoky Hill (Alternate), heading NE.
  38. 200 ftTurn right, heading E.
  39. 150 ftTurn left, heading E.
  40. 50 ftContinue straight onto Smoky Hill Trail, heading E.
  41. 0.6 miTurn left, heading SE.
  42. 0.1 miContinue straight onto Parker Road Trail, heading SW.
  43. 0.2 miTurn left, heading S.
  44. 0.2 miContinue straight onto Pipeline Trail, heading W.
  45. 150 ftTurn right, heading SE.
  46. 0.1 miBear left, heading SE.
  47. 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 map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/cherry-creek-reservoir-beach-no-swim-out-back-9-beaches-10-km-aea8

Trail surface

41% paved29% gravel29% dirt1% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:33 AMSunset 7:24 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 2.2 mi in (~55 min). Leave by 6:09 PM for the 7:24 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:35 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • No dogs on part of this route
  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from 12-Mile North Trailhead

Hikes near Sundown, Colorado