[Journal entry for March 19, 2014; Mayhem Gulch Trail, Clear Creek Canyon, near Golden Colorado]. On my way back to Frisco Colorado, after dropping Dallas off at a conference center in Boulder, I took a late afternoon hike up the Mayhem Gulch Trail. The trailhead parking lot is right off Route 6 near mile post 232. The weather today was clear, and in the fifties Fahrenheit – much warmer than in Frisco. Before setting off on the trail, I walked down to Clear Creek, which was flowing briskly. While patches of snow remained on the banks, the stream was now mostly ice-free. The water is indeed clear and lively. Boulders have been arranged to make fish pools; that larger ones had picturesque cascades at their downhill edges.

I then began my hike up the Mayhem Gulch Trail. Although it was now four in the afternoon, the trail was still in sun and pleasantly warm. I passed a sign indicating that this is an “alternate-day use trail”, with odd weekend days reserved for hikers and even for bicyclers. Today was a weekday, open to both – and, indeed, I encountered one hiker and one mountain bicycler during the afternoon. The trail has a very even grade. It climbs up the hillside in long switchbacks, some with a half-mile between turns. The hillside is only thinly forested; much of the ground between the trees is covered with yucca and cactus and other small perennials. One switchback overlooks Mayhem Gulch, a deep valley with a small stream running at its bottom. A large granitic intrusion is exposed on the near-vertical cliff face on the far side of the valley.

I continued along the trail, past many spots that offered nice views of the hills on the south side of Clear Creek Canyon. In about forty-five minutes I came to the intersection with the Juniper Trail. I stayed on the Mayhem Gulch Trail, which continued uphill and wrapped around to the shady side of the hill, where a bit of snow lingered. A little further on, I encountered pretty views of the hills to the north of Clear Creek Canyon. I could see a trail switching up the side of one, but it was much too distant for me to reach today. I came to the intersection with the Travois Trail, and took it. It descended down to a little stream, which I suppose is the same one that I had seen in the gulch below. I crossed the stream and continued on the trail, which followed the stream valley downhill. According to the map, this trail follows the ridge crest, and does not descend back to Route 6. I took it about a half mile, until I judged that I had used up all of my time. I then retraced my path. Below the Juniper Trail intersection, I took a little side trail to a knob overlooking Clear Creek Canyon. The sun was just dipping behind the hills and its light was very yellow. I stood there, admiring the view for a few minutes, and then headed down.

About two and three-quarter hours.