Canal Zone… read more.
The Clear Creek Trail is located on an irrigation flume originally named the Welch Ditch. The Canal Zone Crag is adjacent to the eastern segment of the CCT. Welch Ditch is an important historic site just west of Golden, Colorado. Construction of the Welch Ditch by the Vasquez Flume and Ditch Company began in 1871. The ditch took water from Clear Creek just above Tunnel #1 and transported it to the city of Golden and eventually out past South Table Mountain into Lakewood. At the time Golden was an industrial hub including railroad transport, smelters, clay mining, brick and tile production and other related sundries required in the gold mining supply chain. Charles Welch owned various investments in local real estate, mines and also the Colorado Central Railroad which connected mines near Georgetown and Central City to Golden, Boulder, Longmont and eventually the Transcontinental Railroad in Pine Bluff, Nebraska. Charles Welch was a vital player in the development of Golden and beyond. In 1896 a major flood destroyed much of the ditch and killed 29 Jefferson County residents. The flume was rebuilt by William “Cement Bill” Williams who is better known for designing and building Lookout Mountain Road. Part of the CCT follows this old water flume which passes through a rock climbing area dubbed the “Canal Zone”. In my wanderings I have been able to walk a majority of the flume previous to improvements creating the present trail. Be wary of ghosts and falling rocks.
