The Best Backpacking in Golden

Mountain Lion Trail is a loop trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Pinecliffe, Colorado.

Turkey Gulch to Cascade Creek is an out-and-back trail where you may see local wildlife located near Idaho Springs, Colorado.

Beaver Meadows Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Idaho Springs, Colorado.

Beartracks Lake Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Idaho Springs, Colorado.

Waterton Canyon is the beginning of the Colorado Trail which stretches 500 miles from Denver to Durango. Camping is allowed on the Colorado Trail but is not allowed in the first 6 miles section of Waterton Canyon, which is managed by Denver Water. The gravel road is great for running, biking, hi...

Lion's Head via Lion's Back Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Conifer, Colorado.

While the Mt. Evans Wilderness never has a shortage of visitors, thanks to its proximity to Denver, it is possible to find a more private hike if you know where to look. Lincoln Lake Trail, accessible from Echo Lake year-round, is not as glamorous as its sister trail, Chicago Lakes, but is a wond...

Mount Evans West Ridge via Chicago Creek is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Idaho Springs, Colorado.

From the parking lot, stay to the right of Echo Lake and you will run into the Chicago Lakes Trailhead. Follow the switchbacks down and across Chicago Creek. After crossing the creek, follow the sign indicating that the trail follows the dirt road and hang a left; from here, you'll reach the Idah...

Echo Lake to Summit Lake is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Georgetown, Colorado.

James Peak is one of 76 13,000'+ peaks in Colorado's front range. On your way up to the peak you will pass St. Mary's Glacier. It is not an actual glacier yet a permeant snow field that is popular among skiers and snowboarders year round. St. Mary's Glaicer is a very popular destination (though m...

Getting There From Denver, go W on I-70 and take exit 238 for Fall River Rd. Continue on this road before taking a left on Alice Rd. Continue on Alice Rd. until you see the right hand turn for Steuart Rd. This is where you park. Do not attempt this road in a AWD or 2WD you definitely need a good ...

Accessed by Hessie Trailhead, Lost Lake is a relatively moderate 4 mile round-trip hike with about 1,000 feet of elevation. The core of the hike is uphill and on a gravel path, 2/3rds of the hike runs parallel to a rushing waterfall.  After parking your car, head towards the Hessie Trailhead. Yo...

Devils Thumb Pass and King Lake Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Nederland, Colorado.

Devil's Thumb Lake Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Nederland, Colorado.

The normal route from the east side is via the Hessie trailhead outside Nederland Colorado. From the west it is most often accessed via the short trail from Rollins pass, which is open in the summer. As noted above, it is also a lake and area ripe for creating your own adventure. The description ...