Hiking – Golden Gate Canyon State Park

Colorado Mountain Club Parking Lot (north side), 710 10th Street, Golden - 7:00AM

This hike is a little more challenging than a straight up moderate hike as it's a total of 1,700' elevation gain.  The Black Bear trail is a bit steep and there is one very short section that many people feel is "scrambling" (I don't think it is), there is no exposure however.   We will start at the Horseshoe TH, hike on a connector trail to climb up Black Bear continue on Mule Deer to our spur trail which is Coyote/Mule Deer to the highpoint on Coyote.  After a lunch break, we'll head back down on the same spur trail and down Horseshoe Trail to the parking lot.  It will take us between 3-4 hours to reach our lunch destination and the way down should only be around 2 hours or less.  The hike up is around 4.5 miles, +1,640' and the hike down is 3 miles, +55'.   When I scouted, May 18th the trails were totally dry.  If the weather looks threatening, I will cut the hike short and not do the spur section which will cut out a couple of miles.   Please email me with any questions (my email is in my profile)