After more than two years, Clear Creek County Open Space has announced on Wednesday, June 22, that the Tunnel 5/Oxbow Trailhead is open again to the public.

The trail has been closed for the construction of an additional segment of the Peaks to Plains Trail, namely the Clear Creek Greenway in Clear Creek Canyon.

The project took an extended period of time because of the expenses and difficulties that come when attempting to build a trail between a highway and a body of water. 

The newly constructed portion begins on the west side of the Tunnel 5/Oxbow Trailhead where it connects with the previously completed 3.75 miles of trail heading downstream to Mayhem Gulch and beyond into Jefferson County. 

The new trail segment adds to the existing trail, allowing users to travel 4 miles one way. With the reopening of the trailhead, users can begin their adventure in Clear Creek County rather than having to go into Jefferson County.

In addition, the rock climbing routes near the trailhead are now accessible.

The Clear Creek Greenway section is a key portion of the Peaks to Plains Trail selected by the Gov. John Hickenlooper’s “Colorado the Beautiful Initiative” as one of the “16 in 2016” most important trail gaps, missing trail segments and unbuilt trails across the state. 

This portion was made possible thanks to funds from Great Outdoors Colorado, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Colorado the Beautiful, Colorado Department of Transportation, Denver Regional Council of Governments and the Clear Creek County Conservation Trust Fund.