Coney Creek Trail

In the Colorado Rocky Mountains and the Roosevelt Forest, you and your pooch can go on an out and back adventure along the Coney Creek Trail to Coney Lake. The trail starts at the west end of the Coney Flats Trailhead about three and a half miles west of Beaver Reservoir on Coney Flats Road (Forest Road 507). There is a small parking lot where parking is free, but you should get there early if you come on the weekend because the lot fills up fast.

This furrific trail is dog furiendly and heavily traveled, so you will likely see some others along your travels. There's no toilets on the trail, so you need to practice the “leave no trace” principles. You can get water from Beaver Creek, but only if you treat it first, so it may be best to bring your own. Also, there are no doggy bag dispensers, so please bring your own baggies and be sure to carry them until you reach a designated trash receptacle. 

Starting at the Beaver Creek Trail at th trailhead, head west into the Indian Peaks Wilderness area for approximately a quarter mile until you reach the Coney Creek Trail. This pawesome trail runs parallel to Beaver Creek Trail into a meadow full of vibrant wildflowers of all colors imaginable, like buttercup, Indian paintbrush, columbine, and many others. You will have to cross Coney Creek here, and there is no bridge, so make sure you wear waterproof shoes. 

This is where the Coney Creek Trail starts to get steep as it enters the forest where the Coney Creek drainage has made a path. You will circle a small pond there where there will be frogs, turtles, waterfowl, and all kinds of other critters. It ends at the tree line where you will find Coney Lake, which is the main destination for hikers in this area. Many like to fish this lake, and some will go on to the Buchanan Pass Trail. 

If you plan to fish or stay the night, be sure to get the proper permits. You can get them on the website or at the information center at the Boulder Ranger District on Yarmouth Avenue. You and your canine cutie will be sure to get a serious workout if you do the whole trail, but those who visit say the woofderful view at Coney Lake is worth it.