Black Bear/Mule Deer/Horseshoe Loop Golden Gate Canyon State Park

There are many different trails in Golden Gate Canyon Park. They have different animal names and tend to criss cross each other. Its important you know where you are going with good directions. We didnt find the map terribly helpful. We started at the Ralston Roost Trailhead just past the Visitors Center. Total mileage was 5.2 miles with a 1,370 elevation gain. There is an entrance fee of $7. The trail starts off with a steep climb on the Black bear trail.

The trail goes up and down through trees and boulders. Here's what a part of the trail is like.

Here's one of the pretty views along the way.

Keep looking for the brown metal markers with the animal symbol  to help you stay on the trail.

A couple times we got off the trail but found our way again.

Awesome views of Mt Evans, continental divide and Gray and Torreys Peaks.

This time of year we saw many shapes sizes and colors of mushrooms.

There was some scrambling up a few of the boulders but not down as we went back another way on the loop.

Here was the place we ate our lunch. There are rocks to sit and enjoy the view.

The trail finally descends to a field of aspens. Here you connect to Mule Deer trail. At the first trail sign you want to turn left, and in a few yards then turn right. Most of mule deer is flat. At the next junction turn right onto Horseshoe trail.

This trail descends to another trail sign to take a right crossing over a small wooden bridge and follow this trail all the way to the Black Bear and Horseshoe trail junction down to the parking lot.