Darby's Favorite Reasons to Love this Hike:

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1. This hike is connected to a few other great trails in the White Ranch area: The Belcher Hill Trail (9 mile loop) , the Rawhide Trail (4.7 mile loop) and the Longhorn/Shorthorn Trails (7 miles); go for a 3 mile to 9 mile hike if you have the time.

2. Close to the city, you can see the beautiful views of downtown Denver.

3. Go camping at the Sawmill Hiker Campground, restrooms, new fire grates and tent pads make it very inviting to hike up and camp for a few nights.

4. Share the mix of grassland and forested areas with other doggies, bikes and horses.

5. Views of the surrounding mountains in Jefferson County, look for 14ers to the west and south.

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Round-Trip length: 3 miles or more, depending on your loop of choice

Start-End elevation: 7,510' - 7,608'

Skill level: Easy (Sawmill Trail), more moderate for the Longhorn, Belcher and Mustang Loops

Dogs allowed: Yes, on leash only

Bikes and horses allowed: Yes

Season: Spring to fall, unless the ice has melted in the warm winter

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Directions: Go north Colorado Highway 93 from Golden approximately 1 mile to Golden Gate Canyon Road. Turn west on Golden Gate Canyon Road. Go west 3.7 miles to Crawford Gulch Road. Go right onto Crawford Gulch Road and travel 3.9 miles to Belcher Hill Road. Turn right on Belcher Hill Road and travel 1.7 miles to the main West Access Trail head. There are two parking lots, the closer one gives you access to the back end of the Sawmill Trail, the further one gives you access to all the other trails.