Matthews-Winters Park
LocationMatthews / Winters Park, 1103 County Rd 93, Golden, CO 80401
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Website |
PDF Map
Trail Map
Park Fees
Free.
Trailer Parking
The trailer parking was pretty impressive. Trailers park over on the right shoulder and there is a sign marked "oversized parking". The half-circle on the bottom of the picture is not parking but is the designated turn-around area for the oversized parking vehicles. This is fantastic because it makes sure that trailers can turn around! You probably could have fit at least 3 horse trailers parked in a line behind each other.
BathroomsYes, very nice permanent restrooms.
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WaterNo water spigot but creek access.
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Mounting
There were lots of large rocks to use to get on.
Footing
The trail started out pretty soft on the Villiage Walk trail and at the beginning of Red Rocks Trail. When Red Rocks Trail forks with the 2nd branch of the Cherry Gulch Trail it gets VERY rocky.
Horse Hazards
Rattlesnakes! We saw a snake on our ride but it just moved off the trail and was not a threat. Keep your eyes on the tail and don't let your horse graze in any long grass. On the trail and in short grass the rattlesnakes are pretty easy to sight. When we saw one we just turned around and went another direction. There are bikers on this trail and 2 bridges to cross on the Village Ride Trail. The footing gets rocky if you continue on the Red Rocks Trail past the 2nd fork for the Cherry Gulch Trail.
Chosen Trail
Sam and I really enjoyed this park! We rode the Village Walk Trail to the Red Rocks Trail to Cherry Gulch Trail. We rode home on the Villiage Run Trail which forked off of Red Rocks Trail to complete the ride. We rode a total of 2.9 miles in about 1.5 hrs. Give yourself more time to ride this trail. There is a lot of up-hill and it is really nice to rest and eat grass. We spent a lot of time grazing and taking pictures. I am hoping to hobble train Sam so we can take more opportunities to eat grass out on the trail.
Trail Experience
We started out on the Village Walk Trail that begins from the west side of the parking lot. It leads down to the restrooms and picnic area. If you want to take the Village Ride Trail there is a fork going to the left from the restroom area. I recommend starting on the Village Walk Trail. The Village Ride Trail goes closer to the road and over 2 bridges to start. I would rather walk closer to the road on the way back when my horse is more tired.
We walked through the picnic area and crossed a bridge and headed up the hill.
This was a pretty good, steady climb. The footing was nice and smooth and soft and the views were amazing. The trail was well marked with signs.
The Village Walk Trail forked to the Village Ride Trail and Red Rocks trail. We continued on the Red Rocks Trail which gradually went uphill.
We continued on the Red Rocks Trail. The trail was a narrow single-track but not rocky with good footing. Everywhere I looked was like a picture out of Colorado Magazine.
We reached the fork between Red Rocks Trail and Cherry Gulch. We stayed left to stay on Red Rocks Trail.
This is the Red Rocks Trail, continuing slowly downhill.
We crossed a creek over a small bridge and headed back uphill.
We headed back up hill. This is a pretty good workout for your horse. Sam just cruised along like a mountain-goat.
The footing got a little rocky headed up and around this big rock. At this point we were almost to the fork of the Red Rocks Trail and Cherry Gulch.
When you reach the fork of Cherry Gulch and Red Rocks I recommend gong right and continuing on Cherry Gulch. We went left for a while and continued on Red Rocks Trail. It got REALLY rocky. Here are some pictures.
This is where we turned around. To the right of the big rock the trail just drops down a very steep drop. I think Sam would have slid on his butt down this trail.
We headed back down-hill. I pretty much gave Sam his head and held onto the saddle.
We turned left to continue on the Cherry Gulch Trail. This is marked as a black diamond, difficult trail. There is one section that is narrow and rocky with a drop-off on one side. If this frightens you, go back the way we came on Red Rocks Trail for a very easy ride home. We of course did not think it was going to be so bad, only 0.3 miles, how bad can it be?
We crossed a creek then headed up-hill. This is the rocky part with the drop-off. Sam was a champ and had no problem.
We stopped to eat and I looked back and took a picture of the narrow cliff we just walked across.
From here the trail was fine. No more scary spots and we headed toward the fork for Cherry Gulch and Red Rocks Trail.
We passed a biker who was thinking about riding down this big rock.
We reached the fork for Village Walk and Village Ride Trails. We turned right on Village Ride. We did see a rattlesnake on this trail. It just moved off the trail and we passed it without a problem.
There were some rocky parts. It was labeled as a green circle but I would call it a blue square. The trail went closer to Hwy 93 and we could hear traffic noise from the trail.
We crossed two bridges connected by a wooden walk-way and back up to the trailer.
Rating
Moderate. I really loved this trail! You feel secluded but there is enough trail traffic to make you feel safe. The footing is great if you take the 2nd Cherry Gulch fork or just do an out and back on Red Rocks Trail. It is just challenging enough to be interesting and the views are amazing. I red Margi Evans book chapter on this trail in "Riding Colorado" to prepare. I can tell you Margi rode the black diamond Morrison Slide Trail without much thought. She is a pretty hard-core trail rider. If you ride this trail I want you to know what you are getting into. I would recommend staying away from the black diamonds to just stay safe and enjoy your ride.