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A Colorado Front Range race/ride that captures some of the closest trails to Golden.


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Map Key

33.1

Miles

53.3

KM

85%

Singletrack

7,540' 2,298 m

High

5,678' 1,731 m

Low

3,892' 1,186 m

Up

3,891' 1,186 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (3°)

34%

Max Grade (19°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Unknown

Apex (Enchanted Forest) is a direction trail on odd days. Watch the signs.

Overview

This race/ride combines some of my favorite rides right out of Golden.

Quite a bit of climbing, great descents, great views. Plenty of bail-out points and places to re-fuel.

All of these trails get crowded on weekend mid-mornings, so start early, and be respectful of other trail users.

Description

Start in Golden and get a warm up through town, up 19th avenue to Lookout Mountain. Look for the small parking area on your left as you climb and start the singletrack. The first section is steep and technical. The trail continues up to Windy Saddle, with great views of Clear Creek from there.

Follow the trail up to Boettcher Mansion and follow the fun and fast singletrack next to the road (Lookout mountain Trail) to the Apex Trail. Look for the trail when you run into Lookout Mountain Road.

Descend Apex Trail and follow the signs to Enchanted Forest. Enjoy this wooded section. I also added Grubstake loop to add a few miles of fun. Descend Pick N' Sledge to Argos trail to emerge at Heritage Square. Follow US 40 to the Matthew Winters Trailhead and Take Red Rocks Trail (you could also add some climbing with Morrison Slide Trail) over to Dakota Ridge Trail. Climb up and over Dakota Ridge to the Dinasaur Tracks.

There's a nice rest area here with some shade. Take West Alameda down (no cars allowed) and take a left on Rooney Road to the William F. Hayden Green mountain park trailhead. There's plenty of trail here if you want to add miles.

Eventually, descend Box O' Rocks to Rooney Road to the Diamond Shamrock and re-fuel. Find the bike path next to 6th Avenue and ride back to car in Golden.

Check out Golden City Brewery, Mountain Toad or any other fine Golden establishments.

Contacts

Shared By:

ryan dougovito with improvements by Brian Huber

Trail Ratings

  3.1 from 15 votes

#2

in Golden

#2908

Overall
  3.1 from 15 votes
5 Star
20%
4 Star
13%
3 Star
33%
2 Star
27%
1 Star
7%
Recommended Route Rankings

#2

in Golden

#420

in Colorado

#2,908

Overall
40 Views Last Month
23,095 Since Jul 26, 2013
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

0%
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38%
13%
44%
6%

Photos

The biggest drop on Enchanted Forest. There is a bypass to the right
Apr 18, 2017 near Genesee, CO
Putting the Wyatt fatbike through the paces in Colorado!
Jan 17, 2017 near Golden, CO
Rocks and roots.
Jun 22, 2019 near Golden, CO
The rock chute on Argos.
Jul 9, 2021 near Golden, CO
Enchanted forest in early summer.
Oct 8, 2015 near Genesee, CO
Last run of the day before sunset. Looking south towards Dino Ridge
Aug 28, 2017 near West Pl…, CO
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Bad / Closed 3 days ago
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