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Black Bear - Horseshoe Loop

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 4.3 (32)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Front Range
  4. Golden Gate Canyon State Park
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“A quiet and remote escape that provides exposure to a variety of terrain. ”

Max Krueger
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5.1

Miles

8.2

KM

Loop

9,312' 2,838 m

High

8,225' 2,507 m

Low

1,195' 364 m

Up

1,187' 362 m

Down

9%

Avg Grade (5°)

39%

Max Grade (21°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Views

Overview

This route provides varied terrain and a remote escape from the more crowded trails closer to Denver. Though the route follows all singletrack, there are some technical and rocky sections. The nice views of the bigger mountains just beyond make the tougher sections worth it.

Need to Know

There is $10 fee for a day pass at the state park. Park hours are from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Temperatures can vary quickly in the mountains. Early season there may still be snow.

Description

From the parking lot off Hwy-57, follow the Black Bear Trail on a rocky climb from the Ralston Roost Trailhead up to the Mule Deer Trail. The majority of the Black Bear Trail is advanced singletrack with more technical sections including a short, easy scramble popping up closer to the intersection with the Mule Deer Trail.

Follow Mule Deer Trail for a short while and hang a right onto Horseshoe Trail Alternate. From here, the trail is a mix of singletrack and wider trail. There are some short rocky sections but mostly the trail is smooth. At about the 3.7 mile mark, this joins the main Horseshoe Trail and continues south.

Finally, near the end of the Horseshoe Trail, cut right across a small wooden bridge and follow Horseshoe Connector Trail back to the Black Bear Trail and ultimately the Ralston Roost Trailhead.

Contacts

Land Manager: Colorado Parks & Wildlife - Golden Gate Canyon State Park

Shared By:

Max Krueger with improvements by Alex O'Connell
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.3 from 32 votes

#3

in Golden Gate Canyon State Park

#470

Overall
  4.3 from 32 votes
5 Star
50%
4 Star
38%
3 Star
9%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
3%
Recommended Route Rankings

#3

in Golden Gate Canyon Sta…

#95

in Colorado

#470

Overall
10 Views Last Month
4,754 Since Apr 3, 2018
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
0%
0%
39%
29%
32%
0%
Add a Photo

Photos

Views
Apr 4, 2018 near Coal Creek, CO
The ridge as you top out on Black Bear Trail.
May 15, 2016 near Coal Creek, CO
Easy singletrack
Apr 4, 2018 near Coal Creek, CO
Lovely views!
Jul 20, 2019 near Coal Creek, CO
Easy Scramble
Apr 4, 2018 near Coal Creek, CO
Tougher scramble
Apr 4, 2018 near Coal Creek, CO

1 Comment

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

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Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Nov 16, 2025
Josh Kirton
4.8mi — 2h 28m
Nov 8, 2025
Jacob Tevah
Enjoyed
Jan 1, 2025
Nana Asare
Snowy and icy on parts of the trail, would recommend spikes. 5mi
Aug 24, 2024
Tarita Fisher Boersma
with Bill Claire Max David Mesa and maeby 4.7mi — 2h 00m
Jun 13, 2024
Private User
Jan 7, 2024
Alex O'Connell
Beautiful, cold & sunny to start. Snow squall rolling in later and colder. Gorgeous. Almost no one on 1st half 5.1mi — 3h 00m
Sep 11, 2023
Jill Out
5.1mi
Aug 4, 2023
John Fieber
Trail is in great shape but could be better marked in the early parts, but was marked very well on the back. 5.5mi — 3h 30m

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