Enjoy a walk or bike ride in the rolling foothills (and give us your feedback!)

This content has been developed for the future High Line Canal map and guidebook. Please feel free to contribute any comments or questions as we work to finalize the content of the guide.

Segment 6  Dad Clark Gulch
Miles 15-17
Rolling Foothills

Heading north out of Fly’n B Park, this route picks up bicycle commuters heading toward the C-470 bike route. A portion of the Canal’s trail in this segment is shared with the Centennial Trail which heads east along C-470 while the Canal continues north. Look for fruitful apple trees throughout the fall all along this segment and consider a stop to enjoy a beautiful slice of nature at Dad Clark Gulch.

Distance: 2.1 miles one way
Trail surface: Concrete and short section of crusher fine
Trail cautions: Multiple trail users in this segment, please share the trail. Horses allowed, but not recommended due to heavy use by commuter cyclists.
Trail facilities: Vaulted restroom and picnic shelter at Fly n’ B Park
Parking: Fly’n B Park parking lot, 2910 Plaza Drive, Highlands Ranch
Jurisdictions: Highlands Ranch Metro District

Highlights: Fly’n B Park, Centennial Trail connection, C-470 underpass, McLellan Reservoir, Dad Clark Gulch

Route Notes

Start: Fly’n B Park, 2910 Plaza Drive, Highlands Ranch
End: County Line Trailhead, 600 W. County Line Road, Highlands Ranch (southwest corner of County Line Road and Southpark Lane)

To start your journey pick up the trail at Fly’n B Park, cross Plaza Drive, and take the tunnel north under C-470. Immediately emerging out of the tunnel, watch for cyclists.

Mile     Notes                                                                                                                         

15.5    The Canal trail intersects with the Centennial Trail, a popular route for commuting cyclists. The Centennial Trail follows C-470 to Waterton Canyon.

16.0    The McLellan Reservoir, at about 2,500 acres, looms large along the north side of the trail and provides water for the City of Englewood. Many locals remember a time, prior to 1948, when they learned to drive in this vacant area. Look for an abundant waterfowl population and many red-winged blackbirds among the cattails.

16.3    Take a rest at the benches here at the Keith Wallace Trailside.

17.5    The Bennett flume carries the Canal’s water across Dad Clark Gulch. There is an informal trail to the south and a couple of picnic tables near the flume.

Here, the trail enters a glade with giant trees, cattails and a wetlands swamp. The Centennial Trail crosses the Canal to the east. A neighborhood bridge heads east, while the Canal continues north. Cross this bridge to get to the County Line Trailhead on W. County Line Road and the end of the segment.

Dad Clark Gulch

Named after Rufus “Dad” Clark, this gulch drains into the McLellan Reservoir. In 1859, he farmed on a 160-acre homestead at the location of today’s Highlands Ranch Golf Club. At this time, Colorado farmers were very successful at growing potato crops, and Rufus decided to try his hand. His first harvest was so abundant that he became known as Colorado’s Potato King.