Review Date
October 7, 2007

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Every few months

Reviewed by: stillfat ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
A fun trail, no doubt. Great scenery, very uncrowded. The climb is tough, but not too long. The challenge is in the very steep and often loose sections of the uphill. Mere mortals like myself will walk a few times.

The downhill is great, but a bit frustrating. The top is very technical/steep and all rideable - big fun. Then the creek section. I guess if you had this section well-memorized, it would be better but it's VERY tight and very blind through the trees along the creek bottom - tough when you're riding downhill through technical madness. Opening it up and letting it go on this section has a definite injury factor. In other words, unless you know this section well, take it slow. I tried counter-clockwise once, wouldn't do it again.

Recommended Route:
Clockwise

Other recommended trails in the same area:
White Ranch, Apex, etc., etc.

Review Date
August 22, 2007

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 5 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 5 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: downhillbomber ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
I've been doing this ride every year since I've been mountain biking including races and it is definitely in my top 5, at least in the front range. However , I rode it this past week alone and I think the Mountain Lion actually attacked me. Slamming into tress, endo's, I got to my car a sore puppy.
Basically what I'm trying to say is DON'T DO THIS RIDE ALONE!!!! Especially on a week day. There are not many people (hikers or bikers) on the trail and there are some very technical sections especially on the back side. With the disclaimer said I will continue with my review.

I've done both trails in Golden Gate and the two are pretty much complete opposites. This review is for the Mountain Lion Trail. There's a little bit of everything on this trail. The front side, starting at the parking lot, begins with a strenuous 2 mile climb. Includes some loose rocky sections and some switchbacks that will challenge your endurance. But once you get to the summit you are in for a real treat. It begins with a steep technical switchback downhill, several sections requiring one to get behind the saddle. Now that your hands are warmed up begin a steady downhill that has nearly 10 stream crossings. Large , sharp rocks will test your technical skills (especially if it's rained in the last 12 hours). The scenery is beautiful but unfortunately there is not much chance to admire it since you will need to focus on the trail the entire time. After several miles of this terrain the trail will become more wide open. Make the right at the large stream crossing and begin climbing up a fire road. 1-2 miles of steady climbing and then descend into another parking lot. To shorten the ride turn right before the fence and head up the other fire road to the mule trail. 1 mile to a junction you crossed on the initial climb, turn left and head back to the car. If you want a bit longer ride head straight through the parking lot and continue on the single track. Lots of stingers and a couple hike a bikes will take you back to the initial climb again.

After 7 years I still haven't cleared this ride and it still tests

Recommended Route:
Clockwise starting at the Bridge Creek trailhead. Take Burro Trail to the fork and turn left up the Mountain Lion Trail towards Forgotten Valley. Around the back side to Nott Creek. Up the service road to Burro trail again, back to the fork, left down burro back to the Bridge Creek trailhead

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Blue Grouse to Mule deer, Raccoon loop and down Elk (other ride in Golden Gate). Chimney Gulch, Apex, Dakota Ridge/ Matthews Winters

Review Date
August 14, 2006

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 5 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 5 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a year

Reviewed by: arnolda14 ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
This trail has a wonderfully wild feel to it, which translates into lots of tight, rocky sections and plenty of obstacles to keep you occupied. Brian is right in that there aren't any extended speed sections. Don't be surprised if your wrists are a little sore and your brakes are a little hot when you get back to your car. You might also have a few tire marks on your arse. The wildflowers along the section of Nott Creek where it levels out a bit are brilliant in the early summer if we're getting enough rain. Ya' gotta love this trail!

Recommended Route:
Clockwise on the Mountain Lion.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
White Ranch, Matthews Winters, Elk Meadow.

Review Date
June 12, 2006

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: Jutt77 ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
Does it get much better than Mt. Lion? I haven't had a chance to ride the other trails at GG but Mt. Lion is hard to beat. The DH section on the backside of Windy Peak makes the rocky sections on Apex seem like a sidewalk...not too technical but a lot less manicured then the other Front Range trails (Apex, Hall, Walker, etc.) . No crowds, nice trail, I usually ride this every saturday morning.

Recommended Route:
Mt Lion clockwise.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Apex, Hall, Walker, Evergreen

Review Date
May 16, 2006

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: rmalling ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
The west side of the park is great!!! Well mainted trails, easy to follow. Ride the Elk and Mule Deer trails in a counterclockise direction. This gives you a fast downhill down Elk and fun climb up Mule Deer. Raccoon trail up top behind Reverend's Ridge campground can be done before heading down Elk. All in all, a nice ride in forest with little people to get in your way.

Recommended Route:
Park at Kriley pond. Climb up "Blue Grouse" from Kriley pond, climb up "Mule Deer", quick up and down ride through "Raccoon" over to "Elk", fast a hell down "Elk", back down "Blue Grouse" to pond and your car.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Maybe the East side of the park, I heard Mountain Lion is fun.