Golden Gate Canyon Park (Ralston Roost)

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Golden Gate Canyon Park (Ralston Roost)
Location:	GOlden
Maintained By:	Colorado State
Starting Elevation:	8300'
Elevation Gain:	1100'
Length:	5.0 miles
Difficulty:	moderate to strenuous
Last Hiked:	9/28/08

[edit] Finding the Trail Head

From Golden, go north on US-93, turn left onto Golden Gate Canyon Road, and turn right into the Park at the Visitors Center (there's a $6 fee for day use). From the Visitors Center, follow the nature trail 0.3 miles to the Ralston Roost trail head. Cross the road and start up the Black Bear trail. After about 0.1 miles, turn right to connect to the Horseshoe trail (or follow the road away from the Visitors Center and start on the Horseshoe trail at the Frazer Meadow trail head).

[edit] Description

The hike is up the Horseshoe trail and back down on the Black Bear trail. Note that going up the Black Bear trail and down the Horseshoe trail appears to be much more difficult due to some very steep sections on the Black Bear trail.

[edit] Experience