racoon trail - Member Hike

Hike Name:	racoon trail
Country:	United States
State:	Colorado
Nearby Town:	Black Hawk
Rating:
Directions:	From Black Hawk, Colorado, Turn left onto CO-119 (signs for Nederland) 5.2 mi then turn right onto CO-46 E for 3.8 mi The turn left onto Mountain Base Rd and follow the signs to the Golden Canyon State Park. The trail head is behind the ranger station at the Reverend's Ridge Campground
Total Hike Distance:	2.50 miles
Hike Difficulty:	Moderate
Permit Required:	No
Hike Type:	One-Way, Shuttle Hike
Hike Starts:	behind the ranger station at the Reverend's Ridge Campground
Hike Ends:	behind the ranger station at the Reverend's Ridge Campground
Trails Used:	Racoon Trail
Backcountry Campsites:	No
Backcountry Water Sources:	Streams, Springs
Management:	State Park Service
Contact Information:	Park Office 92 Crawford Gulch Road Golden, CO, 80403 (303) 582-3707
Best Season:	Fall
Users:	Hikers, Dogs
Road Conditions:	Maintained Gravel or Dirt Roads
Hike Summary:	The hike begins behind the ranger check in station for the campground and begins going down to a small clearing in the trees. From here the trail becomes a loop if you go left there is an old cabin tucked away in the woodline just after you cross a small foot bridge and then the trail begins to climb. After climbing it levels out along the side of a mountain top and then comes to a scenic overlook with a picnic shelter before continuing down again. There are a couple of benches along this segment which are great for taking a break and enjoying the scenery then the trail loops back to the main trail where you backtrack the last bit up the hill to the ranger station again.