Golden Gate Canyon State Park between Golden and Nederland is a top spot for fall colors in Colorado’s foothills and very popular in summer, but in winter it transforms into a serene winter wonderland. If you love solitude, snowy trails winding through pines and aspens, and a hike with a dose of history, hiking the Mule Deer Trail to Fraser Meadow. My friend and hiking buddy Greg Sakowicz (@FatManLittleTrail on Instagram) wanted a trail less than hour from Denver, didn’t require getting on I-70 into the mountains, and trail with some some. Finding snow in the foothills is bit of a challenge right now since it’s been dry, we decided to Golden Gate Canyon State Park would be a great option to hopefully find a little snow. Plus, they have a great network of trails that are easy to moderate and we were looking to do an easy 3-5 mile hike on the last Saturday of 2024. We popped in the visitor center to chat with a ranger on trail conditions. We settled on taking Mule Deer Trail to Frazer Meadow. This trail showcases the beauty of winter in Colorado with its snow-covered forests, beautiful mountain views, and opening up to a meadow with a historic homestead.

Getting There:

From Golden take Highway 93 for 1.5 miles then turn left on Golden Gate Canyon Road and drive 13 miles. There are multiple entrances to Golden Gate Canyon State Park. For this hike park at the upper lot at Kriley Pond.

Trail Stats:

From the Blue Grouse Trailhead, it’s a little over 4 mile round trip hike. There’s a gentle include with a few switchbacks within the first mile.

Start at the Blue Grouse Trailhead

The ranger suggested starting from Blue Grouse Trailhead. It’s an excellent option to quickly access the Mule Deer Trail. We strapped on our microspikes and hit Blue Grouse Trail. The first section of hike goes up a gentle incline, perfect for warming up on a cold morning. You’re only on Blue Grouse Trail for 0.8 miles before it connects to Mule Deer.

Hiking Mule Deer Trail

The trail goes through a few fairly mellow forested switchback. At around a half mile, you get beautiful vista views of snow-covered mountains with openings in the pine filled forest. We encountered stretches of snow and ice on the trail and other sections that had been dried by the sun. There’s a lovely stretch of aspens to hike, which is extra spectacular as the sun shines through the trees. At the trail split, go left for a half mile to Frazer Meadow.

Reaching Frazer Meadow

It’s a little over 2 miles to Frazer Meadow surrounded by pines and craggy peaks. John Frazer was a miner in Black Hawk before homesteading in the secluded valley in 1869. Sadly in 1980, the cabin was burned down by vandals. The combination of quiet trails, historical significance, and pretty scenery make this one of the best winter hikes in Golden Gate Canyon State Park. For another hike with history in this state park, read my post on Forgotten Valley.

Tips for a Winter Hike in Golden Gate Canyon State Park

1. Dress in Layers – Check out my winter hiking fit post for perfect layering on this hike.
2. Bring/Wear Traction Devices – Snow and ice are common on this trail in winter. Microspikes like Kahtoola NANOspikes are great to have.
3. Stay Hydrated – Even in cold weather, hydration is essential. A small daypack with a hydration bladder is a great option. Take a liter of water with you just in case. It’s a great idea to pack a couple of high-energy snacks too.
4. Know Your Limits – Snowy trails can be more challenging, especially if not prepared with layers and traction devices. Pace yourself and turn back if conditions worsen.

Post Hike: Head to Golden from Brunch

Afterwards we heading into Golden, which was super busy on the Saturday after Christmas. We found seats at the bar at The Golden Diner. The scratch kitchen diner has been open since 2009. We split the homemade donut holes. They’re sinfully good! I went for the Hobo, one of the diner favorites. It’s veggies mixed with hasbrowns topped with cheesy scrambled eggs. It’s simple but good diner food, including the coffee. The diner is on 12th Street, just off of Washington Avenue, which is Golden’s main street. There’s a parking garage nearby for easy parking.