Tubing on Clear Creek

When you visit a beach community, it is not uncommon to see folks walking through the streets in their swimsuits, carrying inflatable floating devices. That's not a common sight in Colorado, however. That is, unless you happen to be heading through Golden on a hot summer day. That's when the folks come out in droves to do some tubing down Clear Creek.

Clear Creek is a tributary of the South Platte River that runs down from the mountains through various mountain communities, including Georgetown and Idaho Springs, before going through Clear Creek Canyon and reaching Golden. From there the creek continues on to Denver. Basically, the water that flows down the creek was once upon a time the mountain snow from the previous winter. Therefore, the creek is usually quite cool and refreshing.

Tubers often start in the vicinity of 6th Avenue and travel down the creek through downtown Golden. There are various places to pull over, so to speak, and then walk back up the Clear Creek Trail and go again. The creek flows into the property of Coors, so you have to stop before you get to the brewery.

Even if you decide to just kick off your shoes and dip your feet in the water, this section of Clear Creek is pleasant place to spend part of a warm day.

Return of the Cutthroat

Here in Colorado, kids who are in the fourth grade get to spend a good portion of the school year focusing on Colorado history.  For my kids, it was their favorite year of elementary school.  One of the things they did during that year was learning all of our state symbols, including our state fish the Greenback Cutthroat Trout. Amongst the many sculptures in downtown Golden, Colorado is this piece known as Return of the Cutthroat.  These fish can be found along the banks of Clear Creek in Parafet Park.  They sit near a kids' slide, so it's not unusual to see little ones riding on their backs bucking bronco style.