Pioneers traveling the Oregon or California trails lamented that the Platte River across Nebraska was too thick to drink, too thin to plow. Still, they depended on its water for hundreds of miles, following the North Platte into Wyoming towards the crossing of the Continental Divide at Souith Pass. Later groups followed the South Platte towards the Colorado gold fields. Denver was founded at the confluence of Cherry Creek and the South Platte and the city still depends on the river for much of its water supply today. The South Platte is also impounded in the Strontia Springs and Chatfield reservoirs for flood control and recreation. You can walk, jog,or bike all the way from Chatfield state park through the entire Denver metro area, past the confluence park downtown, and on out on to the plains along a paved multisurface path for more than 30 miles Along the way it passes several parks and connects to other trail systems, notably Bear Creek and Cherry Creek,

Most urban trails are short or non-contiguous. Not the South Platte Trail. Long and exposed, it is a bear to run and probably quite fast to ride. There is, however, a lack of infrastructure, so be sure to pack up on water and refill at every possible turn.

The South Platte River runs through Denver - for much of its length skirted on one or both sides by Interstate 25, other roads, and railways. There is bike-jogging-walking trail running along lengthy (~30 miles) portions of it. It has diverse scenery, from grubby to very nice - all of it interesting to the visitor wanting a walk, or renting a bike, to see some of Denver's underbelly (and nice places). The area has been described as a reclamation work-in-progress, even though work has been going on for several decades. There are many people that love this area. And many who see what it could be. It's already 5 stars for many (especially those who may live closer to it, so can use it every day for recreation or access). Many others hope that progress will continue, and that - one day - it will be 4 or 5 stars for them. http://guide.denverpost.com/lists/south-platte-river-trail/ http://www.coloradobicyclerides.com/rides/sPlatteTrail/sPlatteTrail.html http://www.greenwayfoundation.org/web/ http://www.yelp.com/biz/south-platte-river-trail-denver