NEW PARKING/TH LOCATION: MULE DEER TRAIL/PANORAMA POINT @ GOLDEN GATE CANYON!

Blue Grouse to Mule Deer Trail Loop, Golden Gate Canyon State Park, Golden, CO

Total distance: 11.6 mile loop
Usage: Medium
Degree of difficulty: Moderate
Starting elevation: 8,200
Elevation gain: 1,500 feet

In 2012, the Elk trail and Mule Deer trail joined up to become one long loop trail with a total distance of 11.6 miles. Starting and ending at the Blue Grouse trailhead, Mule Deer weaves through open meadows, evergreen forest, prolific wildflowers (in summer), and multiple aspen groves. Mule Deer intersects the Horseshoe trail at mile 1.85 - this trail provides access to the Frazer, Rim, and Greenfield Meadow backcountry areas. Mule Deer intersects the Black Bear trail at mile 1.5, and the Coyote trail at mile 2.05. The trail crosses Gap Road and takes you towards the Raccoon trail and the Reverend’s Ridge Campground. We'll enjoy taking a break at the breathtakingly beautiful Panorama Point, the highest elevation of this hike, with incredible views of many 14'ers across the Continental Divide of the Rockies. From there, we'll head down the mountain to complete the loop.

​​​​​​Dogs are permitted on all of the trails at Golden Gate. They must be on a 6-foot leash at all times. Please keep Golden Gate beautiful and pick up after your dog.

THERE IS LITTLE TO NO CELL PHONE OR INTERNET SERVICE IN GOLDEN GATE CANYON STATE PARK. Pay phones are located at the Visitor Center and Campground office.

THERE IS A $10 ENTRANCE FEE PER VEHICLE--see information below regarding payment, if you don't have a Colorado State Parks pass.

CLICK ON THIS LINK FOR TRAIL MAP & DRIVING DIRECTIONS:
https://trails.colorado.gov/trailheads/blue-grouse-1176
**CLICK ON 'GET HERE' TO TYPE IN YOUR STARTING LOCATION**

VISITOR CENTER ADDRESS:
Golden Gate Canyon State Park
92 Crawford Gulch Rd, Golden, CO 80403
(DON'T USE THIS ADDRESS TO GET TO THE TRAILHEAD, USE THE DRIVING DIRECTIONS LINK DIRECTLY ABOVE)

***MOUNTAIN BASE ROAD LEADING TO THE OL' BARN KNOLL TRAILHEAD CLOSED FOR THE SEASON TODAY, A FEW DAYS EARLIER THAN WAS POSTED ON THE GOLDEN GATE CANYON STATE PARK WEBSITE. SEE THE REVISED DIRECTIONS BELOW:

DIRECTIONS: Coming from Hwy. 93 in Golden, follow Golden Gate Canyon Rd. 13 miles, at which point you'll pass by Crawford Gulch Road on your right, where the park Visitor Center is located. Continuing a short distance up Golden Gate Canyon Rd., you'll pass KRILEY PONDS on the right. Continue a short distance past Kriley Ponds on Golden Gate Canyon Rd. to MOUNTAIN BASE ROAD and TURN RIGHT. YOU'LL PASS BY THE SEGMENT OF MTN. BASE RD. THAT IS CLOSED, THROUGH THE GATES TO YOUR LEFT. Drive slightly right up the curvy road to the top of the hill and the parking area. The Blue Grouse trailhead is at that location, where we'll begin our hike. No restrooms at the TH, but there are restrooms at Panorama Point, about 2/3 of the way through the hike.

***We wait 5 MINUTES MAXIMUM for hikers who arrive late, out of consideration for those arriving on time. Please allow some extra time to drive to the trailhead.***
IMPORTANT: Your participation in this event is at your own risk, and you are solely responsible for your personal hiking experience, from start to finish. Please consider your fitness/comfort level & the demands of this hike (length/elevation gain/difficulty) prior to signing up.

COLORADO STATE PARKS PASS:
If you don't have a Colorado State Parks Pass, you can purchase a one day only parking pass at the kiosk on the deck of the Visitor's Center and pay $10 cash (instructions are on the envelope provided). The Visitor Center does not open until 9 a.m. daily.

Click on this link for further information:
[Colorado Parks & Wildlife - Golden Gate Canyon (state.co.us)](https://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/goldengatecanyon)