Cherry creek trail and nighttime walks (Denver: neighborhood, mall, safe)

[eearhart]

Hey Denverites!
I was wondering if anyone can speak to the safety of the cherry creek trail in the evenings. I take 60-90 minute walks with my dog nightly and am looking for new routes. Given we came from DC and I have a 90 lb ridgeback I have never felt unsafe in Denver. We're near the riverfront, so typically we go through the highlands or a downtown route right through the city. Is the trail an option or should I avoid it? I've biked it during the day and know people hang out under the bridges, and homeless people generally don't bother me (outside of me wanting to bring food for everyone). Thoughts? Thanks!!

[robertgoodman]

Originally Posted by eearhart

Hey Denverites!
I was wondering if anyone can speak to the safety of the cherry creek trail in the evenings. I take 60-90 minute walks with my dog nightly and am looking for new routes. Given we came from DC and I have a 90 lb ridgeback I have never felt unsafe in Denver. We're near the riverfront, so typically we go through the highlands or a downtown route right through the city. Is the trail an option or should I avoid it? I've biked it during the day and know people hang out under the bridges, and homeless people generally don't bother me (outside of me wanting to bring food for everyone). Thoughts? Thanks!!

Anecdotally I walk or bike the trail at night often and have not had any reason to fear for my safety. It's fairly well lit and there's usually a decent amount of people biking on it for transportation so you aren't too isolated.

The homeless people are there still but they usually are sleeping (or trying to) when I walk or bike by.

[eearhart]

Thanks! That's pretty much on with what I thought.

[vegaspilgrim]

I would not suggest walking on the part of the Cherry Creek bike path that goes by downtown Denver at night. True, there are a lot of bicyclists that ride at night (which can present its own hazards with fast riders confronting someone walking with a dog), some of whom actually use the trail to commute to/from work, so at least in the early evening hours it's not totally deserted, but it's just not street smart. In regards to the homeless people "hanging out" under the bridges, there have been homeless people who have been killed under those bridges at night in the past. Not sure why you would even want to? The part of the path that goes near downtown Denver is essentially a concrete storm drain canal, not exactly a "riverside" experience. The part of the trail that goes from the Cherry Creek mall down to Cherry Creek dam is pretty nice. At night you're better off sticking to neighborhood streets.