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Apex-Enchanted Lollipop

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate Intermediate
 4.3 (79)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Front Range
  4. …Golden
  5. Apex Park
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“This is one of the best hikes on the Front Range. ”

Eric Singleton
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5.7

Miles

9.2

KM

Lollipop

7,312' 2,229 m

High

6,172' 1,881 m

Low

1,179' 359 m

Up

1,179' 359 m

Down

8%

Avg Grade (4°)

19%

Max Grade (11°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers

Magic Mountain and Enchanted Forest are both bikes only on EVEN days, no foot traffic. It is foot traffic and horses only (no bikes allowed) on ODD calendar days.

Overview

This is the classic Apex Loop. Hikers will start out with a steady climb that leads to the Enchanted Forest. You'll swear you are in the Appalachia on this portion of the hike as it rolls through a dense forest.

Description

From the parking lot head west on the Apex Trail. The Apex Trail is a steep ascent. It's steep enough to get your heart rate up, and characteristics like water bars and large rocks keep it interesting. The way back is similar and can be hard on the knees. You'll be encompassed in a rugged valley for most of the duration of the trail.

At junction of Apex Trail and Enchanted Forest continue on the Apex Trail for the loop. At the next junction, turn southwest into the Enchanted Forest and follow this trail until it rejoins the Apex Trail and heads east back to the parking lot.

Enchanted Forest is a great alternative to the upper section of the Apex Trail and enables the creation of a loop at the top of Apex Park. Aptly named, the trail follows tight and twisty singletrack through dense forest (by Colorado standards), lending it a different mood from other trails at Apex. The lush, dense forest that Enchanted Forest runs through can look more like the Pacific Northwest than the Colorado Front Range.

Contacts

Land Manager: Jefferson County, CO - Open Space Dept.

Shared By:

Eric Singleton with improvements by Matt Paulsen and 2 others
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.3 from 79 votes

#1

in Apex Park

#104

Overall
  4.3 from 79 votes
5 Star
44%
4 Star
38%
3 Star
18%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Apex Park

#32

in Colorado

#104

Overall
39 Views Last Month
10,109 Since Apr 21, 2017
Intermediate Intermediate
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Photos

Looking back down the Apex trial after crossing one of the bridges.
May 23, 2015 near Golden, CO
Snow covered trail leading into the Enchanted Forest area.
Mar 2, 2018 near Golden, CO
Apex Trail looking north
Jul 16, 2019 near Golden, CO
After the break off from Apex- heading up into the forest
Mar 31, 2015 near Golden, CO
Going up the Apex Trail.
May 23, 2015 near Golden, CO
After the break off point from Apex- heading into the forest
Mar 31, 2015 near Golden, CO

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

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Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Jul 25, 2022
Ashley cavignac
5.7mi — 8h 00m
May 1, 2021
Alex Kearney
Dec 8, 2020
Ashley Luna-Dove
Nov 5, 2020
Scott Fields
Great up and down. Lots of options. Watch for bikes. Early morning week days aren't bad. 5.6mi
Sep 23, 2020
Rachel Clough
Sep 22, 2020
Rachel Clough
Aug 23, 2020
Hollis Vohr
Aug 10, 2020
Kathryn Clark
Definitely has some good pitch, just what I was looking for! On the way down I was thankful for wearing my grippy shoes. — 2h 15m

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