Loading trail…
Free — you'll pick up right here.
Watch this trail
Sign up to watch it — saving subscribes you to gate, closure and report changes.
Colorado
5.4 mi
Distance
298 ft
Gain
We won't guess. Here is exactly what we do and don't know.
What we do know
Inside White River National Forest
3 managing-area boundaries mapped — agency alerts for them feed this page automatically.
Boundary data
What's missing
No access route mapped
We don't yet know which road reaches this trailhead, so we can't tell you if it's gated.
Nobody's filed a report here yet — be the first.
Why you'll love it
Capitol Ditch Trail
AI-suggested draft · review before you go
Capitol Ditch Trail is a 5.6-mile out-and-back hike located in Colorado near the South Park area within Pike-San Isabel National Forest. The trail features a modest elevation gain of 298 feet, making it accessible for hikers of varying skill levels. The relatively gentle grade and moderate distance make this an ideal option for a half-day outing or family hike. Managed by the Pike-San Isabel National Forest's South Park Ranger District, the trail follows the historic Capitol Ditch, an irrigation canal with roots in Colorado's mining and agricultural heritage. The path offers visitors a chance to explore South Park's characteristic high-elevation terrain and forest landscape. With nearly 6 miles of round-trip hiking and minimal elevation change, Capitol Ditch Trail provides a leisurely way to experience Pike-San Isabel National Forest. The out-and-back format allows hikers to turn around at any point that suits their preferences and fitness level.
Avalanche Lake
~8 min drive
0.3 mi · Easy
East Creek
~13 min drive
15 mi · Hard
Carbonate Creek
~17 min drive
13 mi · Expert
Willow Lake
~17 min drive
4.6 mi · Moderate
Nickelson Creek
~1 min drive
15 mi · Expert
Williams Lake
~2 min drive
1.5 mi · Easy
Hardscrabble Lake
~2 min drive
0.2 mi · Easy
Hell Roaring
~2 min drive
13 mi · Expert
Capitol Peak Route
~6 min drive
1.3 mi · Easy
Hay Park
~7 min drive
15 mi · Hard