Stratford lake & Metzger Ponds via Big Dry Creek Trail
3.1 mi · ▲ 85 ft · 1 hr 5 min
Stratford lake & Metzger Ponds via Big Dry Creek Trail is a 3.1-mile out-and-back in Big Dry Creek Open Space near Cozy Corner, CO. The route passes Metzger Ponds and Stratford Lake before reaching Stratford lake at the turnaround, 1.5 miles in. It is mostly level, with 85 ft of elevation gain, and mostly paved. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Stratford lake & Metzger Ponds via Big Dry Creek Trail
3.1 mi · ▲ 85 ft · 1 hr 5 min
Elevation 5,209–5,281 ft
Out & Back · Big Dry Creek Open Space
Trailhead: Ranch Creek OS · 39.91147, -105.02281
Weather Sep 5: Overcast, high 93°F / low 63° · precip 8% · wind 3 mph · sunrise 6:33 AM · sunset 7:27 PM
Bikes allowed on the whole route · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Ranch Creek OS, heading NE.
- 0.2 miSharp left, heading NW.
- 0.2 miBear right, heading W.
- 250 ftContinue straight onto Metzger Farm OS, heading W.
- 350 ftBear left onto 120th Ave MUP, heading NW.
- 150 ftTurn left onto Big Dry Creek Trail, heading W.
- 400 ftPass Metzger Ponds.
- 0.8 miTurn left, heading W.
- 0.1 miPass Stratford Lake.
- 150 ftSharp right, heading S.
- 250 ftReach Stratford lake, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 250 ftSharp left, heading S.
- 1 miTurn right onto 120th Ave MUP, heading NE.
- 150 ftBear right onto Metzger Farm OS, heading NE.
- 0.1 miBear left, heading SE.
- 0.2 miSharp right onto Ranch Creek OS, heading SE.
- 500 ftArrive 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 0.2 mi in (~5 min). Leave by 7:02 PM for the 7:27 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:48 PM — 7 min before dark.
Good to know
- Bikes allowed on the whole route
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Ranch Creek OS Trailhead
- Big Dry Creek Trail 3.2 mi · ▲ 80 ft
- Big Dry Creek Trail 3.6 mi · ▲ 80 ft
- Big Dry Creek Trail 3.9 mi · ▲ 80 ft
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