Golden is the MOUNTAIN SPORTS CAPITAL OF COLORADO’S FRONT RANGE

IN GOLDEN, IT’S not unusual to see hang gliders floating down a mountain, while bikers are pedaling up it. Golden is the closest mountain town to Denver, just 12 miles from the state capitol building, but the town offers every type of mountain recreation experience that can be found in Colorado. Here are some ideas:

Hiking: All five of the mountains surrounding Golden have trails to the top, while the paved, all-weather Clear Creek Trail follows the beautiful river from historic downtown for several miles west up into the canyon, crossing the creek several times. Head east and you can follow the trail all the way to the South Platte River and Denver. Just a short drive away, there are wonderful trails at Red Rocks Amphitheatre or in Golden Gate Canyon and Eldorado Canyon State Parks.

Biking: The climb up Lookout Mountain from downtown Golden is one of the most iconic cycling routes in Colorado. The paved road makes 56 curves as it climbs 1,300 feet in 4.3 miles up the 7,379-foot-high mountain. Golden is filled with mountain bike routes, from the five-mile loop around North Table Mountain to the Apex trail network. E-bike and bike rentals are available for the Clear Creek Trail which can be cycled for dozens of miles.

Rock Climbing: Clear Creek Canyon begins in Golden and offers some of the best rock climbing in Colorado. Beginners head to the Canal Zone, which can be accessed by foot from downtown Golden. Little Eiger, Red Slab and High Wire Crag also offer beginning routes to work your way up to Primo and Anarchy Wall. If you’ve never climbed, Golden is home to several indoor rock climbing and bouldering gyms, where you can try it out or even take a class.

Mountaineering: The Bradford Washburn American Mountaineering Museum in downtown Golden is the first and only museum in the nation dedicated to the heroism, culture and spirit of mountaineering. There are exhibits about climate, the science of mountains, Colorado’s 14ers, lightning and the history of mountaineering in both Colorado and around the world.

Hang Gliding: Golden is the center for foot launch hang gliding off of Mount Zion, the 6,800-foot-high peak adjacent to Lookout Mountain. The skies above Golden are often filled with gliders curling down to a landing spot near the Colorado School of Mines.

Fly Fishing: Clear Creek is one of the best near-to-Denver fly fishing spots with dozens of access points to the river near Golden. Right downtown, there are excellent places for fly fishing. You won’t have to cast far to find a great local shop that can help with professional guides, or suggestions and maps to local fly fishing areas.

Snow Sports: Golden is surrounded by places perfect for snowshoeing and crosscountry skiing. Golden Gate Canyon State Park has cross country skiing through aspen meadows and deep conifer forests. White Ranch has 20 miles of snowshoeing or cross country skiing trails.

Water Sports: Clear Creek flowing through Golden has become one of the most popular rafting and kayaking centers in Colorado, with more rapids per mile than any other commercially rafted river. Commercial rafts put in at nearby Idaho Springs. The lower portion of Clear Creek closer to Golden is the center for kayaking with a dozen man-made chutes right in the heart of downtown Golden.

Outfitting: Golden was founded as a supply town for the mountains and that tradition continues today. The city is a center for recreation shops for all outdoor mountain sports and the perfect place to gear up for your mountain adventure! •

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