Chutes Trail to see new renovations in Cheyenne Canyon

A popular trail in Cheyenne Canyon will be closing for renovations while it converts to a downhill mountain bike trail.

The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department will be converting Chutes Trail from a multi-use, bi-directional trail to a downhill mountain bike trail.

Since 1885, North Cheyenne Canyon has served as a mountain retreat for residents, but to maintain its beauty and preserve its trails, a master plan was formed in 2018.

David Deitemeyer, Senior Landscape Architect said there was an “increase in population and the change in the type of use and how the properties are utilized by the public so it was a really great opportunity to update that master plan.”

And going along with the 2018 master plan for Cheyenne Canyon, David Deitemeyer, Senior Landscape Architect says the next step starts today.

Deitemeyer said, “We will have a dedicated downhill mountain bike trail, we will have an only hiking trail identified as Gold Camp Path and then we will have a multi-use, multi-direction trail which will be identified as the Ladders.”

Approximately 1,600 linear feet of new trail is being constructed for the reroute, which will provide technical, rocky trail features with ramps, drops, and berms.

“[It’s] a completely new trail, so we can have again that dedicated downhill bike from the top of Gold Camp Road into Stratton Open Space,” said Deitemeyer.

We were able to speak with bikers who were taking advantage of the trail before the closure, they said this is a great idea due to safety.

Clay Taylor said, “People ride on this trail really fast so separating the cyclists from the hikers, few horses that come up and down is a really good idea.”

While Alasdair Nadon-Shields added, “It’s always difficult trying to get around hikers and stuff and I think it would just make it better for both groups.”

The new upper section will drop from Gold Camp Road and end at the intersection with the Chamberlain Trail, located between the Gold Camp and Mesa Reservoirs. During construction, segments of chutes trail will be closed, and users are asked to follow signs posted in the area.

“We do anticipate that as the contractor progresses along with the project that there will be a need to close the existing chutes for about two weeks,” said Deitemeyer.

When completed in October, a brand new paved parking lot will be added as well that will connect the three trails.