Crosier Mountain Garden Gate Trail
- fs.usda.gov
- Estes Park
About
Garden Gate is the middle trailhead for Crosier Mountain, a small pullout on County Road 43 east of Drake. It's easy to find and tiny to park in, so get there early. After that it's all up, to a summit around 9,250 feet.
From Drake, head east on County Road 43 (Glen Haven Road). The Garden Gate trailhead is 2.2 miles along on the south side of the road, in Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest. The Forest Service says it holds about six vehicles and has no trailer parking, and there are no restrooms or drinking water. The trail is Crosier Mountain Trail 931. The Colorado Mountain Club calls the Crosier hike from Glen Haven moderate at about 8 miles round trip with 2,400 feet of gain, and the Forest Service describes the last half mile to the summit as steep.
Six cars goes fast, so I'd go early on a weekend. The trail is open year-round, which makes it a good winter walk when conditions allow, but expect snow and ice up high. Colorado Parks and Wildlife issued safety advice after a fatal mountain lion attack on the Crosier Mountain trail in January 2026: stay alert, hike in groups, skip the headphones, and keep dogs leashed. Trail status can change, so check the Forest Service page for alerts before you drive out.
