Dutch Creek

A longer, but easy hike into the really pretty Coal Basin east of Grand Mesa, Dutch Creek drains snow accumulated high above by Huntsman Ridge for some large fanned out and stepped rappels. The coal mining origin of this area started in the late 1800s and a rail line carried coal from this basin to the coking ovens across from Redstone. Today, restoration is underway in collaboration with mountain bike trails being built at Coal Basin Ranch. https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/7019447/coal-basin-trail

Driving: From the town of Redstone and CO 133, drive west on the paved Coal Creek Rd for 4 miles. (turn at the coking ovens, an obvious landmark) Park at the end of the road in a designated parking lot with pit toilet. Hiking: From the parking lot, walk over the cattle guard and past the gate to the south on USFS Rd 307 / Coal Basin Trail 1953, which is an old road bed used by hikers, horses and mountain bikers to gain the downhill-only Bear Ridge and Flying Dutch Boy trails. At the first intersection with a large old building, head left following signage toward waterfalls. The trail switches back sharply to gain the ridge separating Dutch Creek and an unnamed creek draining Huntsman Mountain. A short waterfall can be seen at this switchback. Gain the ridge and a flat saddle before contouring into Dutch Creek on the trail. Despite the numbers, the hike to the intersection with Dutch Creek is easy going on a gentle consistent uphill grade. Approach to Lower Dutch Creek: 4.3 miles +1900ft At least four more rappels exist upstream in Upper Dutch Creek, but getting there is harder. Cross Dutch Creek and continue on the old road grade to the north. Veer left on the less-used trail hugging the mountainside when a Y-split occurs in the trail/old road. This continues to a switchback very close to the next drainage. A game trail connects back to the ridge toward Dutch Creek. The path deteriorates wrapping the corner with angled trail-less and semi-loose dirt hiking on the hillside for the rest of the way. Contour to an entrance tributary to walk into Upper Dutch above the higher drops. Additional approach to Upper Dutch Creek: 1.1 miles +680ft Total approach to Upper Dutch from the Parking: 5.4 miles +2580ft

Upper Dutch Creek Dutch Creek starts with a few easily downclimbed narrows. The first 12 ft waterfall obstacle can be bypassed on Canyon Left by using a ledge and a dirt slope. R1: 30 ft from a slung rock in Canyon Center for a 15 ft drop R2: 35 ft from a rock stack in Canyon Center R3: 85 ft from a slung boulder on Canyon Left R4: 120 ft from a rock stack on a wide shelf in the waterfall. In higher flow, this anchor may not be available. Snow bridge Cross the approach trail Lower Dutch Creek Downclimb on Canyon Left R5: 130 ft from a large group of willows in Canyon Center R6: 65 ft from a rock stack Walk a third of a mile R7: 130 ft from an Aspen higher on Canyon Right above the roostertail into the first small pothole Downclimb a 20 foot waterfall on Canyon Left Round the corner and walk down flat carved rock Exit when the canyon curves to the right around a low ridge of aspens. The rest of Dutch Creek is largely unremarkable stream walking.