Mount Galbraith Loop

Dog-friendly hike near Golden · Mount Galbraith Trailhead, 21992 Golden Gate Canyon Rd, Golden

Illustration of Front Range foothills trail

Illustration of the region, not this trail.

Dogs on this trail

Jefferson County Open Space regulations require pets on a leash of ten feet or less and under physical control at all times; Mount Galbraith is a hiker-only park.

Source: Jefferson County Open Space · checked 2026-10-24. Rules change; confirm before you go.

Distance4.2 mi
Elevation gain1050 ft
Leash ruleLeash required
Water on trailNone — carry water
SeasonYear-round; north-side switchbacks hold ice in winter
ParkingFree lot at the trailhead on Golden Gate Canyon Rd fills on weekend mornings; no roadside parking
FeeFree
RestroomsVault toilet at the trailhead
Managed byJefferson County Open Space

Mount Galbraith is the hiker-only foothills park two miles up Golden Gate Canyon from Golden: the Cedar Gulch Trail climbs about 1.3 miles through mahogany and ponderosa to a 1.6-mile summit loop around the 7,260-foot peak, with views of Golden, the plains and the Divide. No bikes means fewer surprises for leashed dogs, and the county's 10-foot leash rule is the only one you need to remember. The trail is rocky and steep in places, so it suits sure-footed dogs. Shade comes and goes; there is no water. Lower slopes are rattlesnake country in summer.