2 Kenosha Pass North. The rock scrambling along the higher elevation is not suited for dogs that have difficulty jumping or are prone to slipping. I went to Golden Gate Canyon today and took the Black Bear trail. Some trails are definitely not for families with little kids, I can assure you, having hiked the most difficult ones with my wife. At the road, veer to the left and head west on the road to the restrooms. While the elevation is too low for aspens, there are cottonwoods, scrub oak, and red sumac, as well as field grasses that turn a blaze of colors and offer a very different fall look than just the traditional aspens. Over the next 2 miles you will descend 1, 100 ft. Like I said, this section is technical. The visitor center staff were not surprised by our moose sighting. The Horseshoe Trail in Golden Gate Canyon State Park is a wonderful hike for older kids, experienced and non-experienced hikers.
Mount Falcon Park is only a 30-minute drive from downtown Denver and offers several trails and routes. Continue straight up at the junction to the Reverends Ridge Campground. 25 paved mile trail around the Visitor Center's Show Pond. Since Golden Gate Canyon State Park straddles the Gilpin/Jefferson County line, it is perched in the middle of a rural area. The crowd will be cheering you all the way in! In 1868, John Frazer left his mining job and squatted in the Frazer Meadows for 15 years before legally claiming the land. But on the return trip I missed the sign for the trail I wanted to take and ended up taking a circuit about three miles longer than I had planned. The trails are accessible all-year round, but it is definitely recommended to go in the spring or early summer months, so you can have the opportunity to see the wildflowers bloom. Spending time watching a herd of moose while hiking the Snowshoe Hare trail at Golden Gate Canyon made our experience special. 4WD is only needed if there is snow or wet conditions. Soon I was able to pick up an unnamed lateral trail that took me right back to Suzy. There are two distinct sections of the park with only one trail that connects the two segments. The nightly rate is $20.
It was drizzling rain and visibility was very poor. At the bottom of the mountain, turn right at the next trail junction. Below is a guide to the best hikes near Denver. It was difficult for me then, and I only hiked a couple of miles at that time. Know where your trailhead is before visiting the park to avoid extra driving. Confined mostly to the foothills eco-zone, this park lacks any semblance to alpine terrain (or even subalpine conditions) with elevations in the park ranging from around 7, 500 to 10, 387 feet at the top of Tremont Mountain, the highest (and most prominent) point in the park. Pack a jacket and dress in layers, as temperatures can change quickly, especially this high up. Tips & Resources for Hiking the Horseshoe Trail: Park Pass: A Colorado State Park Pass is required to enter Golden Gate Canyon State Park.
But these flowers are more beautiful than any fireworks. The park includes stunning views of the Rockies, downtown Denver as well as historic ruins. Small meadows are home to many wildflowers in late spring and summer, and the area is good for winter sports during the snowy season, yet overall the state park is not that interesting, certainly when compared to the much more dramatic scenery of the nearby national park. Proximity to Denver and Boulder makes Golden Gate Canyon an easy recreation option for city dwellers. Was this page helpful? The only wheelchair-accessible trail in the park is the 0.
We were able to spend about half an hour watching them graze and lounge from a distance. Just before the lake turn right and head up the Snowshoe single-track Trail. Take a moment to enjoy the great view of Mt. 75 miles to the Mule Deer junction has some pretty steep sections, but keep pushing and remember it is all part of the fun. Help others discover hikes near Denver. You can camp in the campgrounds from Memorial Day through early October and in the backcountry year-round. Golden Gate Canyon – Black Bear. At the halfway mark, feel free to take the divergent path that goes up Windy Peak, which offers solid 360-degree views of the surrounding area.
Four generations of Swedish-Americans lived on this historic site. But there were no columbines in bloom 17 days earlier on the Beaver Trail. Today I returned to Golden Gate Canyon State Park for the third time in less than three weeks. Turn left on Lions Loop. This one is not for "couch potatoes". Visitors are reminded that all waste must be disposed of properly. This is a great place for crew, friends, and family to meet you.
Columbines in full bloom along the trails delighted me today. Or, follow CO-119 west for the more scenic route that will take you past the Boulder Falls and through the town of Nederland that sits next to the Barker Meadow Reservoir. Golden Gate Canyon State Park in Colorado lived up to and exceeded my expectations. 7 miles) — Be sure to stock up well and take plenty of water. Waterton Canyon offers one of Denver's classic hikes.
Some historic ruins can still be found in the park. While the distance is not long, this trail is very steep in places and has been variably labelled as hard or difficult. The one full-service campground is open year-round. If you are using your PeakVisor app, you had better have your offline maps downloaded in advance. Ute and Arapaho Native Americans once camped and hunted on this land. It should be noted that this is the only road within the park that can be driven without the need for a parks pass – as long as you don't stop and use park facilities. You have to be prepared for some strenuous activity and challenging scrambles. There is plenty of fall color from cottonwoods, scrub oak, and low aspens along the way. After long Summer months, I start to look towards the mountains, wondering if the air is crisper up there—if the leaves are changing. This view is the first of many that seem to get increasingly more impressive with each turn as the trail slowly climbs and follows the contour of the first of two modest peaks. Afterwards, stop at New Terrain Brewery, which has its own access to the trail. Keep left at the next two intersections, maintaining the same trail. One of the largest homesteads was the Pearce property.
The highest point in the park is in the northwest, from where the land slopes down steadily towards the southeast, and most sections can be explored by trail.