Grand Lake Metropolitan Recreation District Golf Course

If you take your dog with you to Grand Lake, this is about your only option for hiking with them. We followed as many of the loops as we could to extend our short hike but it was just that — short. We were thankful to have any option at all after striking out at every other anti-​dog trail near town. On a rainy day, we only saw a few others hikers (all with dogs) and no mountain bikers but I imagine traffic increases with better weather. There’s a porta potty in the parking lot and some picnic benches near the lake. Totally flat and easy — more of a walk through the forest — but better than nothing if you want to get some exercise for your pups!

I flipped over my handlebars, hit my head on low hanging branches, scrapped my shins on underbrush and smashed my pinky fingers trying to squeeze my bike through the narrow tree-​lined trails.
The best ride ever!
The actual trail names are Colorado River Trail, The Maze and Janice’s Jaunt, all rolled into a great trail system. Word of caution, this is an expert mountain bike trail, but a great all-​around hiking trail.
The trailhead is just east of the Golf Course and sports the cleanest port-​a-​potty on the planet. It’s so clean, bugs don’t want to ruin it.
The trail takes you through different wetlands, over two bridges, vistas, rock gardens and a single track with grass so tall, you’ll feel like you’re in a corn maze, with the sweet sound of a brook to guide you.
The trail is well marked, numerous benches are strategically placed and when you come around one corner, the sigh reads «Shhh, Golfers.» Then you pop out for a moment to see the stunning view of Grand Lake’s Golf Course right before you rip down a rocky section and catch your pedal on a short stubby stump.
Did I mention, best ride ever?