From Switchbacks to Summit: The Golden, Colorado Side of the Lariat Loop
Lookout Mountain in Golden, Colorado — like the U.S. Forest Service — is the land of many uses. Top to bottom, up and over, it’s one of the most rewarding places to hike, bike, climb, and explore in the entire Front Range. Whether you’re after a quick 20-minute scenic detour or a full day of outdoor adventure near Denver, Lookout Mountain meets you exactly where you are.
Lookout Mountain Road switchbacks its way up Mount Zion, and after roughly 20 minutes of driving, visitors pass the legendary Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave before arriving at the Lookout Mountain Nature Center and Preserve. The route, a part of the Lariat Loop, has been drawing scenic drivers and adventurers for more than a century. It continues down the far side of the mountain toward the communities of Evergreen and Morrison, with more trailheads and hidden gems tucked along the way…