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Golden Gate Canyon State Park (Mountain Lion trail) Mountain Bike Trail
Black Hawk, Colorado
MTB TRAIL STATS
Avg Rating:   |
1 trail review |
| Status: |
Difficulty:  Advanced |
| Length: 8 miles | Global Rank: #Not yet ranked. |
| Tread: Singletrack | Configuration: Loop |
| Ridden: 1 | Wishlist: 1 |
| Elevation Gain/Loss: +2,500/-2,598 ft |
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Description: It is recommended to ride this route clockwise (due to several steep sections that are better ridden on the descent).
From the trailhead, pick up the Mountain Lion trail (starts at the restrooms). Climb until you come to an intersection with the Burro trail, and continue on Mountain Lion. You'll eventually pass a pond and an abandoned settlement on your left; keep riding and the fun begins shortly after. The trail will continue to climb, with sections of loose rock/sandy/rocky terrain. If you have to stop, due to an obstacle you can't clear or to take a breather, good luck starting again. After a few switchbacks, you'll get to the summit. Continue to follow the Mountain Lion trail. When you come to the next intersection (again with the Burro trail), be sure to take a left and continue on Mountain Lion. Descend a few switchbacks, some of which are quite rocky. You'll eventually drop down to Deer Creek and ride along the creek for approx. one mile; this mile has many rocky/technical sections and crosses the creek several times on old logs. You'll eventually come to another intersection (with a trail heading off the left to an old quarry); again, stick to Mountain Lion, and continue the descent back to the trail head.
There are several other trails that intersect with the Mountain Lion trail, some of which are for hikers only (no bikes). All intersections are clearly marked with maps, so pay attention and you'll find your way. There are maps on the state park website (http://www.parks.state.co.us/parks/goldengatecanyon/Pages/GoldenGateStatePark.aspx).
added on August 21, 2011 by 
TRAIL REVIEWS review this trail
reviewed by ephilli2 on August 21, 2011
I found this trail in a Falcon Guide. Boy was I in for a surprise. This is one of the most challenging Front Range rides I've done, primarily from the technicality. Several sections of the ascent are so steep that once you stop (due to an obstacle that you can't clear or to take a breather), it's very difficult to get started again (think very steep terrain, add in a few inches of loose dirt/sand, and many large rocks/drops). Most of the trail is rideable, but several sections will challenge even the most experienced riders (in terms of aerobic ability and technical skills). The descent, particularly following the creek, is FUN, but again, very technical. I'm sure my 29er wheels helped me stay upright and avoid doing some endos on the many wheel-grabbing rocks. :-) I've ridden Bergen Peak several times; compared to the Mountain Lion route, Bergen is a piece of cake.
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