Triceratops Trail in Golden, Colorado

July 6, 2024

On July 2 (Tuesday), the weather was lovely. We decided to enjoy the wonderful weather by taking a hike along the Triceratops Trail. I have wanted to hike along the Triceratops Trail for years to see the fossils.

We rode the motorcycle along Hwy 6 to Golden and parked in Lot A next to 19th St, just off Hwy 6.

Lot A is a paid parking lot. We parked right next to the steps leading to the trail.

I walked over to a post in the parking lot and found how to pay. There is no way to pay cash; you have to use a website to pay. It is very convenient to pay with a phone.

After I paid for our parking, we started on the trail. To get to the actual Triceratops Trail, you have to walk along a multi use trail for 700 feet. There are signs pointing the way.

We arrived at the trail head and found a small building with all sorts of information displayed.

While the sign on the building implies the audio tour is free, the paper map with the information about the audio tour makes it clear there is a charge.

Armed with the paper map, we headed down the trail. From the upper trail, we could see a covered section of rock. We went down the step switch back trail to the lower area to see the fossils.

We head down the trail and learned the areas with the fossils had been discovered due to clay mining.

We continued on the trail and came to some more signs. We could also see the crane used for clay mining, left abandoned.

We continued on the trail and went down the slope to the second lower trail.

On the way back, we took a closer look at the mining cart.

We walked back to the motorcycle and discussed where we wanted to get dinner.

We decided on Bob’s Atomic Burgers. That will be another post.