Join me for a run at Golden Gate Canyon State Park on Sunday morning.

I'll be running the 9.5 mi course for the Aug. 3 race I am putting
on. It's a tough course with a mix of jeep roads and single track,
and a short road section, with some very technical and steep climbs
and descents. There's 2,250' of climbing including an 840' climb, in
1/2mi, after 6.3mi. There's a short-cut back to the start that's
about 7mi, and skips the 840' climb.

Golden Gate is located ~15mi west of Golden. I'll be leaving from the
Loaf N Jug in Golden at 7:30am. I have to be back home by about 11am.
I expect to run about 1:45-2 hrs. Carry water with you.

From the intersection of hwys 6, 58 & 93 in Denver, go north on 93 to
the next light, Iowa. Turn right, then an immediate left to the gas
station. For a map to the Loaf N Jug, go to:
groups.yahoo.com/group/denvertrailrunners
Click on Files
Click on Trails

I will also be posting a map to the files section of the DTR site.

The run course: Start at Ole' Barn Knoll. Run down the road ~1/2mi to
where the trail crosses the road. Go left onto the Mule Deer trail.
Follow the Mule Deer trail around to Gap Road, near Panoramo Point.
The race course will actually cut out to Gap Rd through the forest,
off the established trail, a bit west of Harmsen Ranch. Go west on
Gap Rd for about a mile. Just past Mtn Base Rd. Go left onto the Elk
trail. Take it downhill for about 1 mile to the next trail junction.
Go left to Bootleg Bottom, cross the road, then start up the Coyote
trail. This is the steep, 840' climb. We'll be scrambling hand over
foot, up some rocks, in a few places. For the short-cut, don't take a
left to Bootleg Bottom; continue straight down the Elk trail to Ole'
Barn Knoll. For the rest, follow the Coyote trail over the top, then
down to Frazer Meadow. This trail meets back with the Mule Deer
trail. Go right and retrace your steps back towards the start. At Mtn
Base Rd, cross and stay on the trail back to Ole' Barn Knoll.

If you're late in Golden, go up 93 to Golden Gate Canyon. Turn left
for ~15 miles. DON'T TURN IN AT THE VISITOR'S CENTER. Continue
another 1.3mi up the road. Turn right on Mtn Base Rd, just past
Kriley Pond. Go about a mile up the road to Ole' Barn Knoll.

For more detail on the park and trail maps, go to:
http://www.parks.state.co.us/
Select Golden Gaty Canyon from the Parks QuickFind box.
Click on Maps to download a trail map.

The trails we'll be running are on the west, Gilpin County side of
the park.