Burro Trail - Golden Gate Canyon - Running

Review

Intro

Begin this 4.5 mile loop at the Bridge Creek trailhead, 2 miles past the Golden Gate Canyon State Park visitors’ center. The shaded parking lot is a welcoming site as you roll up just a few miles north between Golden and Boulder. The Burro Trail is one of a dozen trails within the park offering hikers more than 35 miles of options. 

What Makes It Great

These 12 trails are all named after various Colorado animals and marked with that animal's foot print, so you'll learn a bit about the foothills ecology along the way. As for the Burro Trail, it takes you steeply up and around Windy Peak, and offers some beautiful vistas of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Along the way, you'll pass plenty of connector trails, including a short (but challenging) spur to the summit of Windy Peak. You'll also pass the Mountain Lion connector on two separate occasions. Keep a watchful eye out for wildlife, as there's plenty to be found. Deer, elk, coyote, fox, mountain lion, and black bear have all been known to inhabit the area. This isn’t the most breathtaking spot but it is close and well marked.

Who is Going to Love It

Looking for a good workout? This is a great trail to explore the forests and historical homesteads -- and it's close to Denver. 

Directions, Parking, & Regulations

From Golden, take Highway 93 north from Golden one mile to Golden Gate Canyon Road. Turn left and continue for 13 miles to the park. Note: Most GPS will instruct you to take the Crawford Gulch turn 5 miles up the canyon. This is a windy dirt road that will take longer. For the most direct route to the park, please stay on Golden Gate Canyon Road.