Mountain Lion Trail & Windy Peak - Golden Gate Canyon State Park

Yeh, that’s me in the photo.

Difficulty: about 8.5 to 9 miles with about 1,900-2,000 feet elevation gain.

**PARKING FEE: THERE IS A $10-$17 FEE FOR A DAY PASS IF YOU DO NOT HAVE THE ANNUAL STATE PARK PASS. See here for price info: https://cpw.state.co.us/state-parks/golden-gate-canyon-state-park**
**If you need to purchase a day pass, please review the pay locations on the park map here and allow extra time to pay and get to the trailhead: https://cpw.state.co.us/sites/default/files/dam/mg6idc0ah0/golden-gate-canyon-state-park-brochure.pdf**

We hike as a group at a moving pace of about 2.5 to 3.0 mph. Although the group may split up due to different hiking paces, everyone is expected to wait at all intersections, creek crossings & periodically otherwise so that we can regroup and so no one is left behind or hiking on their own for safety purposes. We take periodic breaks only as needed…but plan to take a longer break at either Windy Peak or down at the cabin by the pond.

**HIKE DESCRIPTION: This hike is always so beautiful this time of year...the creek, wildflowers, Windy peak, cabin, pond, and we have even seen moose. The Mountain Lion trail in Golden Gate Canyon State Park is a longer trail that goes through a small meadow, aspen stands, through pine tree stands, and past a cabin and pond. We will also take a jaunt out to “Windy Peak” lookout. Windy Peak is a forested peak with a rock outcropping offering a terrific view of the Park with the high peaks along the Continental Divide as a backdrop. We will do the following hike in alltrails: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/mountain-lion-windy-peak-summit**

DOGS: 🚫 Not allowed on this hike.

ADDRESS/DIRECTIONS: We will meet at the Nott Creek Trailhead in the Park. It has no address, but the trailhead is in the eastern part of the park. To get there, you can click on the alltrails link above for directions. If you use Google maps, you can type in “Nott Creek Trailhead” for directions.

We wait 5 minutes for late arrivals…but no longer as that is inconsiderate to those arriving timely. So please allow extra time to get to the trailhead.

IMPORTANT: This is a participate at your own risk event! Life is risky. I am not a professional guide and am simply hosting this event. By signing up for this hike you acknowledge that you are capable of performing this hike and that you are solely responsible for your own safety.

NO SHOWS: If you are a no-show to 2 hikes, you will be booted from this meetup group. So please change your RSVP to “not going” if you are unable to make it.

WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING: Water, snacks, layers of clothing, good hiking shoes/boots, sunscreen, bug repellant, sunglasses, hat, gloves, hiking poles (if you find them helpful), and anything else you deem essential.

**WEATHER: Here is the NOAA forecast for the hike location. For hourly temps, wind, precipitation, etc., click “Hourly Weather Forecast” in the upper right. https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-105.38691120061223&lat=39.85788322513946**

**REQUIRED WAIVER: If you have not already done so, you must sign the updated waiver with our new meetup name prior to this hike. I will have copies at the trailhead that you can sign or you may print, sign, and bring it with you from the following website: https://www.dropbox.com/s/p728z28jjuwdzws/Waiver%20Corona.pdf?dl=0**
If you choose to sign at the trailhead, please arrive early so that we can depart for the hike timely.