Moonraker Trails

Wow, we were here in July 2015. Camped down in Golden and came up here two days in a row. Yep, no shortage of trails, so much fun. A little bit of something for almost anyone. The climb up is well worth the ride down along the ravine. Great views and fun singletrack.

This trail system is really fun for most levels of riding. Those with super high enduro skills will find it too easy. Lots of climbs, nice swooping downhills - but the climbs and downs aren't terribly long. I have ridden here many times and just love it. Best of all the trails here are dog friendly and I can ride alone with my aussies. Most trails can be ridden in either direction. The trail system hooks onto the CBT main line system. You could spend days here without being bored. Summer riding can be really hot and you get eaten alive my mosquitos if you stop to read the map at an intersection. I just rode in Oct 2015 for several days and found it wonderful - trails carpeted in leaves, temperature just cool and pleasant with NO BUGS. My husband is much more technically able than I am - and he finds the trails really fun. There is a downhill area - the KickingHorse Mountains ski area nearby. When he downhills, I frequently x-country. You get some nice views over the Golden BC valley and over some smaller lakes as well. There are 3 ways to access the trails - 1)from outside town via the CBT trails, 2)at the Cedar Lake campground or 3)from a small hamlet (called Nicholson) south of Golden with the trialhead called Gudjonson. There is an advanced trail called Canyon Creek that is accessed further up the Forest Service Road from the main trailhead parking lot and is heartstoppingly difficult - i've walked some of it - waaaay too difficult for my riding skills. But if can do it - looks like a blast! There is another trail system at the southern edge of town accessible from the municipal campground and from a parking lot at reflection lake. It is a good solid blue with a few very steep downhill sections that are rate black. For enduro or downhill riders, there is a series of trails above Golden called Mount 7 - but you need to be shuttled up the forest service road. This town is a complete package for XC and downhill riders. You really have to plan a trip.