Lookout Mountain may be one of the best known mountains in the metro area, most residents know the mountain because of the TV towers and antennas that light up on the mountain at night. Visitor's to the top often stop at the Lookout Mountain Nature Center or the Buffalo Bill Museum & Grave. There are two trails at the Nature Center that are good for families.
Hikers looking for a challenge can hike the mountain on a 3.5 mile trail with 1,700 feet of elevation gain. The trailhead can be difficult to find. It starts at the wind socks, in a pull-off/parking lot on the west side of U.S. 6 in Golden. The pull-off is just 0.5 miles south of the intersection of U.S.6, Highway 58 and Highway 93. Map.
There are no signs at the parking lot, but the single-track dirt trail is easy to find. Follow it as it starts to wind up Chimney Gulch. After a series of switchbacks, the trail crosses a driveway to a home in the area. Turn left, walk a few steps and look for the dirt trail that continues up the gulch.
At 1 mile, the trail crosses Lookout Mountain Road. Be careful crossing the road, looking for drivers and bikers who sometimes fly down the hill. On the other side of the road, a sign points to the Chimney Gulch trail.
From here, hikers continue climbing 1.5 miles to a place called Windy Saddle. This section of trail does get into an area of trees that can get quite icy in the winter. Traction devices and hiking poles can be a big help.
At Windy Saddle, hikers cross Lookout Mountain Road again to the picnic bench on the other side of the road. This is a good spot to take in the view and have a snack.
There are several signs in the parking lot at Windy Saddle. Some talk about the geology of the area, another shows the hiking trails. Take the trail by the sign. After 0.2 miles, hikers come to a trail split for the Beaver Brook Trail and Lookout Mountain. Take the Lookout Mountain Trail. Again, expect a lot of ice in this area in the winter. The trail is under thick trees and doesn't get much snow. From the split it's one mile to the top of Lookout Mountain.
At the Nature Center, hikers will find bathroom facilities, a water fountain and a nice place to take a break before returning to the trail. At the trail split to the Buffalo Bill Museum, it's a 0.5 miles each way to visit the museum.
By the numbers: 7 miles, 1,700 feet elevation gain
Read about more hikes in Jefferson County, Boulder County and across Colorado here.
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