On the trail
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This easygoing hike winds through Matthews/Winters Park on the scenic Morrison Slide Trail, with a small herd of rescue goats from Molly's Menagerie setting the pace. They browse as they go, stopping for whatever looks good along the trail, so expect an unhurried morning with plenty of excuses to stand still and look around.
Along the way you'll pass tilted red sandstone rising out of the hillside and long views over the foothills toward the plains, then the quiet graveyard that is all that remains of Mount Vernon, a Gold Rush settlement and one of the oldest cemeteries in Colorado.
Every goat on this hike has horns, and they do more than they appear to. Blood vessels running close to the surface release excess heat, so a goat's horns work something like a radiator on a warm Colorado afternoon.
Tilted red sandstone rises along the Morrison Slide Trail, with views out over the foothills and back toward the plains.
All that remains of Mount Vernon, a Gold Rush-era settlement, is a small historic graveyard along the trail, one of the oldest in Colorado.
The goats set the tempo, and it's a forgiving one. This is a hike for anyone who would rather amble than march, and there's usually a goat happy to walk alongside you.
2 hours (approx.)
From $50 per person, discounted rates for children
Maximum 8 travelers
Matthews/Winters Park Trailhead, 1103 County Rd 93, Golden, CO 80401. Meet at the picnic tables across from the restrooms. Look for the goats.
Moderate. Not wheelchair accessible; not recommended for travelers with back problems, heart conditions, or who are pregnant.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the hike
Permitted to operate on Jefferson County Open Space land, with a per-hike fee paid directly to the county, and covered by commercial liability insurance
Reserve directly on this page to help us avoid third-party fees, or through Viator
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We donate $10 per goat to Molly's Menagerie for the support and care of all of the animals at Gray Muzzle Society.
We also donate $5 per hike to the Jeffco Open Space Foundation for the preservation of the trails we hike, in addition to our permit fees.
Matthews/Winters Park sits on land historically home to the Cheyenne, Arapaho, and Ute people. An acknowledgment on its own does not do much, so we send $5 from every hike to the American Indian College Fund, which supports Native students and the tribal colleges they attend.
Spots are limited to 8 travelers per hike, and weekends fill first. Reserve directly below to help us avoid third-party fees, or book through Viator if you'd rather.
Booking direct helps us avoid third-party fees. Fill out this form to get started, we'll confirm your date within 24 hours.