Ascending Hikes – Elk Meadow Park - Bergen Peak

Ascending Hikes 

AHS helps members improve their personal hiking speed, strength, and stamina. No cost or big commitment. You can jump in or out anytime since all AHS hikes are posted as regular trips on the calendar.  Information about the Ascending Hikes Section can be found on the Section webpage here.  If you still have questions, write CMCAscendingHikes@gmail.com

If this is your first Ascending Hike, please review the below items:

• 2023 Member’s Guide to Ascending Hikes
• 2023 CMC Etiquette and Related Suggestions 

Alert!  This is a popular program.  If there is a standby list, join it.  Standby lists almost always clear.  Your Trip Leader and AHS Coordinators put a lot of effort into planning section activities.  Last minute cancellations and no-shows are very discouraging and insufficient numbers may jeopardize the program.  We realize that “things happen,” however PLEASE DO NOT SIGN UP FOR AN AHS TRIP UNLESS YOU FULLY INTEND TO PARTICIPATE ON TRIP DAY.  

Route Description:

The hike to Bergen Peak will start at the Stagecouch Trailhead and will take trails in Elk Meadow Park to the summit of Bergen Peak that avoid the Bergen Peak State Wildlife Area.

1. Start at the Stagecouch Trailhead and follow the Meadow View Trail to the intersection with the Sleepy South Trail (0.3 miles, + 70 ft.),

2. Turn right onto the Sleepy South Trail and follow it to the intersection with the Elk Ridge Trail (0.7 miles, +26 / -144 ft.),

3. Turn right onto the Elk Ridge Trail and follow it to the intersection with the Meadow View Trail (0.5 miles, +304 ft.),

4. Turn right onto the Meadow View Trail and follow it to the intersection with the Meadow View Trail (1.0 miles, +97 / -75  ft.),

5. Turn right onto the Meadow View Trail and follow it to the intersection with the Too Long Trail (1.0 miles, +97 / -75  ft.),

5. Turn left onto the Too Long Trail and follow it to the intersection with the Too Long Trail (2.3 miles, +1,180 / -21  ft.),

7. Turn right onto the Bergen Peak Trail and follow it to the summit of Bergen Peak (1.0 miles, +518 / -10 ft.),

8. For the descent, we will retrace our steps back to the Stagecouch Trailhead.

NOTE: This route (Map) is about 11 miles long and gains approximately 2,200 feet in elevation.

NOTE: We are doing this hike to Bergen Peak as part of the Colorado Rockies Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge. It is a self-paced hiking challenge that takes you up six, iconic peaks–each one a bit higher and tougher.  If you happen to also be doing the challenge, join us on this hike and the other hikes that we will be leading.

Please meet in Golden @ 6:45 AM in the CMC parking lot to arrange car pools to the trailhead (NOTE: There is limited parking at the trailhead) ... We will leave prompty @ 7:00 AM to drive to the trailhead (Directions from the CMC).

NOTE: The Denver Group allows carpool drivers to charge each passenger a mileage rate to defray expenses. It is suggested that carpool trips follow these Denver Group guidelines in reimbursing drivers for car expenses.  This is a guideline, not a policy, meaning that this is a recommended, but not required, method of sharing costs.