Last Ditch Effort!
Last weekend I had the opportunity to take a stroll along the Crystal Creek Water Ditch Trail. This used to be my go to hike for a long time. It is a short, scenic, historic and photogenic trail. It was one of those hikes you could hit after work before it got dark! Three years ago, during some high water releases, the historic ditch gave out and the trail was closed. I was heartbroken. Well, a month ago they opened the trail up. The improvements that they have made are amazing! I give them kudos!
This trail is a two mile round trip and is level the whole way with the exception of some stairs at the parking lot. From this parking lot, take the stairs down to the clean-out house. This is where leaves and debris are caught that have made their way down the ditch from the small dam upstream.
It's a small, unassuming structure that is open right now, however, sometime in the future they are going to screen off the windows and the doors so that they can run the clean-out wheel.
The trail meanders along the ditch in and out of tree cover. You can hear Crystal Creek crashing below.
You can see the work that the Park put into the ditch all along the way.
One of the two things that I love about this hike is this catwalk. Don't ask me why, I just love it! It's crazy considering I am terrified of heights! When I was there last weekend, a family had to wait on the other side while I traversed the catwalk. There is only room enough for one person to walk it. As I went past them I heard the little kids refusing to go across! Once they got started they loved it but were intimidated by it at first. So was my dog but she's a trooper now!
This is my hiking partner Niki getting ready to cross the catwalk.
The second coolest thing on this trail is this little tunnel that was made through the rocks. I love it! In the past, there usually wasn't water running through it. Since they have made their repairs that part of the ditch is working again. The trail goes around to the left of the tunnel where another catwalk takes you up to the small dam.
The trail eventually ends at the dam with a small gate made of wood to regulate the water flow. The flume and cat walk in the photograph below is all new. You used to have to trip over roots and jump water to get to this point!
Below is a photograph I took about ten years ago of the small dam.
Overall, this trail is a great trail to get out, stretch your legs and soak in the history!
DIRECTIONS: Highway 299W to Crystal Creek Road, turn left. The small parking lot is on the left about 1/4 mile up the road. At this time there is no trailhead sign.
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