BLUE GROUSE TO MULE DEER LOOP TO PANORAMA POINT, GOLDEN GATE CANYON STATE PARK!

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

Total distance: 11 mile loop
Usage: Medium
Degree of difficulty: Moderate
Starting elevation: 8,200
Elevation gain: 1,600 feet

Starting and ending at the Blue Grouse trail head, our route connects with the Mule Deer trail loop, weaving through open meadows, evergreen forest, 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 the Continental Divide. From there, we'll head down the mountain to complete the loop.

***BRING YOUR SPIKES FOR TRACTION; ICE/SNOW ON TRAILS POSSIBLE THROUGHOUT WINTER/EARLY SPRING***

​​​​​​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 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 here for the trail map & driving directions:
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/blue-grouse-to-mule-deer-trail-loop

ADDRESS:
Golden Gate Canyon State Park
92 Crawford Gulch Rd, Golden, CO 80403

****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; continue straight and CURVE TO THE RIGHT, proceeding up the hill to the parking lot. Restrooms are only available at Panorama Point (approx. 1/2 way point of the hike). Extra parking is available at the Kriley Ponds parking lot, directly below the lot for the Blue Grouse trailhead, alongside Golden Gate Canyon Rd. There is a path up the hill from that lot to where we're parking/meeting.

IMPORTANT:
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 park information and map:
[Colorado Parks & Wildlife - Golden Gate Canyon (state.co.us)](https://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/goldengatecanyon)