William F Hayden Park
Location1000 S Rooney Rd, Lakewood, CO 80228
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PDF Map
Trail Map
Park Fees
Free.
Trailer Parking
We did not park at the main trailhead. I really did not want to walk Sam over the bridge over C470. The neighborhood was a nice place to park and many of the locals were walking their dogs and were very happy to see a horse. Instead I googled W Exposition Pl, Lakewood, CO 80228 in my iphone google maps. One resident told me that there were many more places to park in the neighborhood and they were used to lots of people driving in to get to the trails.
One local told me parking at the end of Cedar Dr. is also a good place to access the trails.
BathroomsNone available.
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WaterNone available.
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Mounting
There was a big rock to stand on as the trail left the neighborhood.
Footing
Moderately rocky. All the trails we rode on had loose rock. They were small like gravel and it never really improved. It is a rocky trail and shoes with pads are recommended.
Horse Hazards
The biggest challenge was the rocky trail. It didn't bother Sam with his pads and shoes but I looked ahead and down a lot. We walked by the radio tower without a hitch and bikers yielded to us and either communicated with us or scooted off the trail. I did see a rattle-snake scoot off the N. Access Trail on the way down but it didn't bother us. A lot of the trail was steep switch-backs on the side of a mountain so this is not a good trail for a spooky horse or green rider. Watch for rattle-snakes!
Chosen Trail
We rode from the neighborhood access point up the North Access Trail. At the 3 fingered fork we went straight to connect with the Green Mountain Trail. We took a left on the Green Mountain Trail to walk up to and past the radio tower. We went left on Summit Loop Trail then right to descend on the North Access Trail. We rode 3.6 miles in about 1 hr and 20 minutes with lots of stops for grazing. I would allow more time than you think. It is a really steep trail and you will need breaks for grass and pictures.
Trail Experience
We started out west from the trailer through a narrow opening in the fence then up a gravely service road, the North Access Trail.
It was pretty darn rocky. Sam powered up the trail with his full shoes and pads.
It was a pretty good climb and we stopped multiple times to rest and eat grass.
We had some really pretty views as we climbed.
This is the fork for a different path down to the neighborhood at a different access point. We kept going left up the mountain. We passed a fenced in area and kept going on the trail to it's right.
We enjoyed this beautiful climb. It was moderately rocky but Sam powered through it grabbing bites of grass along the way. When we went down this trail heading home we did see a rattle-snake moving off the trail. Watch your feet and watch where your horse eats!
We continued up and around a sharp curve. One of the trail markers had fallen over marking a trail that was closed for regrowth.
We went around a sharp switchback then looked ahead at the last hill to climb.
We came up to the fork of the North Access Trail that we were on with a link to the Green Mountain Trail straight in front of us and the Summit Loop Trail to the right and left. We continued to the Green Mountain Trail.
We continued straight to take the wider Green Mountain Trail at the next fork to the left.
There were great views to the west looking down from the Green Mountain Trail.
We continued up to the radio tower.
We almost took the wrong turn by going right at the John O Hayden Trail. We continued on the Green Mountain trail and rode past the radio tower.
Walking past the radio tower to our right was the Green Mountain Trail continuing down the mountain to the Florida Parking lot.
We turned left to take the Summit Loop Trail.
We could look east and see the outline of Denver.
There were mile markers. This one said 0.5 miles. I believe it was counting up on The Summit Loop Trail.
We made it back to the first 3-way fork and went right to head down-hill on the North Access Trail.
Rating
Difficult. Sam and I had a great time on this trail. Sam is pretty solid and didn't hesitate at all about going up-hill on this rocky trail. It was a really good climb up-hill. We stopped for a lot of grass breaks. Sam is fit and we still took breathers. The views are worth it if you have a horse with shoes and pads that is not easily spooked. Bikers yielded for us since it was hard to move off the trail on the switchbacks. We walked by the radio tower without a problem and that may have spooked a lot of horses. There were so many other trails to explore. The John O Hayden Trail and Green Mountain Trail going to Alameda looked amazing if you could find a better place to park off Alameda.