Mayhem Gulch Trail, part of the Clear Creek Canyon Park System

Mayhem Gulch, Clear Creek Canyon

About a year ago, I was driving up highway 6 in Clear Creek Canyon and noticed that the Open Space workers were building a parking lot for a new trailhead about 9 miles up the Canyon from Golden.  It wasn't completed and so I was not able to hike it back then, but I always remembered it was there and knew that Jefferson County Open Space was adding more trails in the Canyon, so I decided to head back this September to see if it was completed.  And it was!  Complete with a large parking lot across the road from the river, restrooms and trail maps that show this trail system meets up with the Centennial Cone Park trails in Golden Gate Canyon and there are numerous miles of trails for bikers and hikers here!

Getting there:  From Golden at the intersection of Highways 6, 93 and 58, take U.S. Highway 6 west about 10 miles to the paved trailhead on the northside of the road. You can't miss it! 
Specs:  The trailhead has pit toilets, trail maps, and connects to well over 15 miles of trails.  This trail is not listed on the Jefferson County Open Space website yet, but it is open and ready for hiking.  


The Hike:  Admittedly, I hiked this trail back in late August of this year, but just didn't have time to blog about it until now.  Growing this baby seems to take a lot of time and energy :)  However, it was a beautiful day when I hiked Mayhem Gulch and there are numerous more miles of trails that I need to explore there.  The main trail heads up the mountain for 1.5 miles and then reaches a trail split; you can continue to Centennial Cone Park, or take the Juniper Trail to create a 4.6 mile loop back to the start.  Check out the photo below to see how this loop is created. 

Click on photo to make bigger.  Notice the red 'you are here' symbol on the left middle side of the map.  Follow the Mayhem Trail to the intersection at the Juniper Trail, continue on the Juniper Trail to create the 4.6 mile loop back to the parking lot. 

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The last of the summer flowers were in bloom, and none of the aspen trees were changing color when I hiked this in late August on a weekday.  The trail was mostly deserted except for a few mountain bikers who passed me along the way.  I didn't see any other hikers, however. 

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Views going up the trail, the entire part that I hiked provided you with views of the mountains beyond, because you hiked up the side of the mountain.  You can see Clear Creek and Hwy 6 in this photo. 

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More views of the mountainside and you can even see the trail if you look closely. 

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Beautiful summer flowers! 

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The trail was well maintained and very easy to hike on, I'd call this trail moderate just because of the incline, but there was no scrambling or any other difficult sections.  Just steady incline up the mountainside.

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You can see the trail that I just hiked up on the mountainside beyond me.  Here I am at nearly 8 months pregnant, hiking with my two doggies and by myself.  My husband gets a little nervous when I go by myself, but I think he realizes that I need the alone time, as I always have, and being pregnant doesn't change that!  I hope to hike this trail with little baby someday. 

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After 1.5 miles you will reach a trail intersection and this sign.  This is where I turned around and hiked back the way I came, making my hike just 3 miles.  However, had I not been pregnant, I would have continued on to the 4.6 mile loop.  The baby has pulled a muscle in my upper abdomen and hiking has become painful during this 3rd trimester.  Each step I take, I feel my muscles pulling apart, even while wearing a belly band, but the exercise and solitude draw me to the trails always!

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Again, this is a photo of the trail split, you can continue up, or there is a trail behind me, or the trail on the right takes you back to the parking lot, which is what I did. 

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Love the summer flowers, and I am hoping next Spring I can make it here with the little baby in my Ergo Carrier and we can hike the loop! 

We'll see how easy that is.  Any hiking mama's out there have any advise?  Please leave a comment if you do!  Also, if you have hiked farther at Mayhem Gulch, please leave your comments or input, our readers will appreciate it! If you'd like to be updated about future posts, click here to join our mailing list.