Joy on the Trails is a blog series detailing all the incredible hiking trails within an hour of Denver. All the trails featured are accessible to anyone new to hiking, or just wanting to get out without driving for hours into the mountains. I hope you uncover your own joy of hiking and I hope you’re inspired to try a few of my favorite trails. And if you’re so inclined, join me sometime… I’m out there a lot!
White Ranch Mustang Trail to feel like a bad ass!
I have been so excited to write this blog… this is my absolute FAVORITE trail near Denver any time of year!
First of all, you can’t go wrong at White Ranch Park. There are several routes you can take with wide sweeping views, forests, and iconic rock formations. But the route I love best takes you on the Mustang Trail. The name is perfect because it makes me feel like a badass wild horse. And it has a little of everything.
Come in on Belcher Road until it dead ends at a big parking lot. Once you’re geared up, cross the street and take the Sawmill Trail for about a mile. It’s almost flat and is a great chance to get warmed up for what’s coming. You’ll hit a trail junction that gives you lots of choices… take the Sawmill Trail toward the campground.
Sidenote: if you want to try backpacking or have some new gear to test out, the Sawmill Campground is perfect. It’s only a mile from the trail head so you can make a quick exit if things go south. During the week, it’s empty. The first time I backpacked with my daughter, we went here, and it’s one of our funnest camping memories. We only brought one freeze dried dinner because the package said it fed two, but they meant two skinny people who have no love of food, and don’t care anything about having a satisfied tummy. So we went to bed hungry, and devoured our breakfast oatmeal in the morning!
Back to hiking… Continue through the campground if you’re doing a day hike, and soon enough you’ll hit the Mustang Trail. This portion is about a mile of UP and what makes it so spectacular is the sweeping views of the Divide! So if you’re tired, just tell your hiking buddy that you can’t get enough of the views and have to keep LOOKING at them!
At the top there’s a bench if you need it. You’ll be heading down along the Belcher Hill Trail in a big loop back to where you started.
I hope you love this trail as much as I do… it’s about four miles of pure heaven, and a great way to start your day, take a break in the middle of the day, or go for a twilight workout. And call me if you’re going - I won’t say no!
GPS Locator: 25373 Belcher Hill Road
Golden CO, 80403
Managed by: Jefferson County Open Space
Come hiking with me!
If you want more information on this or other trails in the area, please don’t hesitate to reach out! Just like the homes I sell, I can even show it to you in person! And learn more about my Realtor life here.
Joy Opp
Realtor
303-878-8769
