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Farmers Highline Canal Trail Passing through Westminster, Northglenn, and Thornton.


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Map Key

12.8

Miles

20.7

KM

100%

Runnable

5,540' 1,689 m

High

5,284' 1,610 m

Low

417' 127 m

Up

161' 49 m

Down

1%

Avg Grade (0°)

6%

Max Grade (4°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Lake · River/Creek · Wildflowers

Some sections may flood after heavy rains / spring snow melt. Usually the path will dry up within a week or so with little to no damage.

Need to Know

Between Malley Drive and the E.B. Raines Park complex the trail is used as a doggie restroom by folks in the nearby apartment complex who don't clean up after their dog.

All other sections have been well cared for and have been clean or droppings and most litter.

Runner Notes

Some segments of the trail offer a dirt path on the other side of the ditch from the paved trail.
Some segments offer a packed gravel side trail.

Description

The Farmers Highline Canal Trail is an extensive trail running East / West through multiple cities on the Colorado Front Range.

The various parks along this trail act as hubs offering a number of connecting trails that can provide a change in view if any section of this trail becomes routine.

The trail has many sections offering lots of tree coverage and is a mix of Concrete and Asphalt. The route is mostly flat, but there will be a few rolling portions to keep you from getting too comfortable. Mornings generally offer the best shade as many sections have the trees to the east and open views to the west.

Flora & Fauna

Lots of cotton wood trees, and migrating song birds. Waterfowl like Ducks, Geese, Coots, etc. can all be found around the lakes.

History & Background

The Farmers' High Line Canal was originally built in the 1860s by the Arapahoe Ditch Company from Clear Creek to Van Bibber Creek in what is now Arvada. The remaining segments to the east were built in subsequent years by the Golden City and Arapahoe Ditch Company. It is one of the Front Range's signature trails winding from near Standley Lake east to Northglenn's EB Raines Park (10.3 mi/16.5 km) and beyond into Thornton.

Contacts

Shared By:

Rob M.

Trail Ratings

  3.7 from 6 votes

#2

in Thornton

#23398

Overall
  3.7 from 6 votes
5 Star
33%
4 Star
17%
3 Star
33%
2 Star
17%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#2

in Thornton

#1,802

in Colorado

#23,398

Overall
20 Views Last Month
4,267 Since Feb 13, 2016
Easy Easy

100%
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Photos

Westminster, Colorado. with permission from algill
Jul 15, 2016 near Northglenn, CO
Interesting flower clusters.
Jul 9, 2016 near Northglenn, CO
Art Installation just off the Farmers Highline Canal Trail.
Feb 13, 2016 near Northglenn, CO
Thistle along trail.
Jul 9, 2016 near Northglenn, CO
View of the Flatirons.
Jul 9, 2016 near Northglenn, CO
Bench.
Jul 9, 2016 near Northglenn, CO

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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
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Check-Ins

May 25, 2020
Tristan Ruigrok
4mi — 11h 30m
May 22, 2020
Tristan Ruigrok
4mi
Apr 9, 2020
Tristan Ruigrok
started at northwest open space 2mi — 8h 15m
Mar 17, 2020
Matt H
Mostly flat paved trail along roads and golf course. Decent for speed work. Some views of the mountains in the distance.
Sep 8, 2018
Jenna Lowstuter
Apr 21, 2017
Nathan Steadman
13mi
Mar 11, 2017
Kasey Thomas
7.2mi
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