Restrooms at second Parking area and at Sawmill Campground.
White Ranch Park- Belcher / Sawmill / Mustang Loop
| Trail Mileage | Time from Denver | Easy / Moderate / Extreme | Dogs OK / Leash |
| 2.4 miles | 25 minutes | Moderate | OK / Yes |
This is a nice, moderately challenging trail that leads to a beautiful hiker-only campground. It starts off uphill for .3 miles, and goes up and down a few times during the loop, ending with the same .3 miles, but downhill. There is a mix of exposed and shaded areas. The views are incredible, it is hard to believe how close to Denver it is, and yet how remote it feels. The uphills and downhills will get your heart pumping, but none of them are long enough to be too difficult for an adult in good shape. Young children may find this trail too challenging- try the Sawmill Trail beginning at the second parking area (just keep driving past the first one). It is a two-track dirt road that the Park Service uses to service the campground, and is the easiest way to get your gear into the campground should you decide to camp here. There are other nice trails in this park, be sure to get the Jefferson County Open Space map at the parking area, it shows more trails than this page does- this is just our favorite loop in the park. Camping is by permit only, contact Jeffco Open Space at 303-271-5925. For more information, rules and safety: http://openspace.jeffco.us.
Restrooms at second Parking area and at
Sawmill Campground.
Take Highway 93 North from Golden just a
little under a mile to a-
LEFT / WEST turn onto Golden Gate Canyon Road. There is a sign
there for White Ranch park.
Continue on West for about 4 miles until you see sign for White Ranch
Park and make a-
RIGHT / NORTH on Crawford Gulch Road (Highway 57) for about 2.5 miles and
make a-
RIGHT / EAST at the sign for White Ranch Park,
look for the above-road sign in the
1st photo below, park after it on the left.
Here's some photos, in the same order as the hike:
White Ranch Park
This is the entrance to the park, the parking area for this hike is on the left just after the gate. Look on the right side of the road, you can see the rectangular sign for trail crossing- the Belcher Hill Trail, that is the start of the hike.
Belcher Hill Trail
This is where the hike begins- it is uphill for the first .3 mile, forested and pretty. Don't forget to pick up a White Ranch Park Map at the parking area before you go.
Belcher Hill Trail, about .2 miles in
The trail is uphill at this point, with great views all around.
Belcher Hill Trail
Nice moss on rocks along the way.
Junction- Belcher Hill / Mustang
This is a nice spot for a break, and a bench is provided just for that. The hike gets much more spectacular from this point, no matter which way you go. We continue on Belcher Hill trail from here, towards the Sawmill Trail at .6 miles.
Belcher Hill, 2nd Leg
The trail crests the hill here, and the views are just fantastic.
Belcher Hill, 2nd Leg
The view of Golden South East of the trail, with the Mesa in the back.
Junction- Belcher Hill / Sawmill
Here's the next turn, West on Sawmill Trail to the campground at .6 miles.
Junction- Belcher Hill / Sawmill
This area is very popular with mountain bikers, all of whom we have found to be polite and considerate. We've seen a few horses here, too.
Sawmill Trail
The trail changes here- this is typical of the Sawmill trail from it's start at the second parking area (past the one this hike starts at) and makes it the trail of choice if you are bringing in camping gear.
Sawmill Trail
Just before the campgrounds you will find this old well pump that is no longer in service. See the piles of cut pine trees stacked in the background, either for beetle infestation or fire prevention.
Sawmill Campground
Here is the official sign board, and official latrine for the campground. It is very well maintained, and is spotless and well equiped.
Sawmill Campground
The park service provides non-potable water and firewood, as well as a bucket at each campground to help control campfires in provided rings. Camping is by permit only.
Sawmill Campground
The campsites are spartan, and well cared for. A bucket is provided for fire water, a fire ring, picnic table, and a locking bear-proof box.
Sawmill Campground
A locking bear-proof box.
Sawmill Trail - 2nd Leg
The trail changes again, and the scenery is just gorgeous. It is .2 miles to the trail junction with the Mustang Trail.
Junction- Sawmill / Mustang Trail
Here's the junction, we go north on Mustang for .4 miles to the bench in the 5th photo, where we get back on the Belcher Hill Trail for a .3 mile downhill finish back to the car.
Mustang Trail
The trail here isn't much different from the Sawmill Trail, except for these cool ramps the park service has built for mountain bikers to be able to navigate these intense elevation changes. They are pretty decent to hike on, too!
