Lariat Loop Scenic Byway

Golden to Golden

Front Range · Colorado · United States

Key measurements

Distance

37.2 miles

Elevation gain

3,189 ft

Elevation loss

3,223 ft

High point

7,863 ft

Low point

5,712 ft

Net change

-29 ft (5,891 ft to 5,861 ft)

Surface

Paved

Route type

loop

Route Overview

The Lariat Loop Scenic & Historic Byway is a 37.2-mile paved loop from Golden through Lookout Mountain, Genesee, Evergreen, Bear Creek Canyon, and Morrison before returning along the Front Range foothills. Despite its compact length, the route packs sharp elevation changes and distinct landscape shifts into a single ride, climbing rapidly out of Golden, traversing the high bench near Genesee and Evergreen, descending through the tight granite walls of Bear Creek Canyon, and returning beneath the Dakota Hogback.

Key Segments & Geographic Transitions

Lookout Mountain Switchbacks — Miles 0.3–7.7

Leaving the urban grid of Golden, the route gains elevation rapidly along Road 68. The road climbs the face of Mount Zion and Lookout Mountain through a dense sequence of coiled hairpin turns. Open slopes offer immediate, expanding views of the South Platte basin to the east, while the road surface winds tightly across exposed earth and scrubby foothill terrain.

Genesee Ridge & Rolling Benchland — Miles 7.7–11.4

After cresting Lookout Mountain, the route picks up US-40, running westward along the high ridge parallel to the Mount Vernon Canyon corridor. The character shifts from a sharp cliffside climb to rolling, open terrain lined with ponderosa pine stands, offering views toward the higher peaks of the Continental Divide to the west.

Upper Forest Ascent to Evergreen — Miles 11.4–16.5

Joining CO-74, the road climbs through open mountain forest and suburban foothill pockets, topping out at the route's high point of 7,863 feet around mile 13.5. Beyond the summit, the road gently rolls down into the pine-filled basin surrounding Evergreen, where commercial development briefly gathers at the crossroads.

Bear Creek Canyon Descent — Miles 18.2–29.3

Leaving the upper basin, CO-74 enters Bear Creek Canyon, following the watercourse tightly down toward the plains. The road tracks the canyon floor between sheer granite cliffs and dense streamside trees. Darkness and temperature drops are noticeable in the deeper notches where high stone walls cut off direct sunlight. The canyon releases abruptly at the foothill boundary near Morrison.

Front Range Hogback Corridor — Miles 30.7–35.5

From Morrison, the route shifts onto C-470, heading north across flat prairie terrain squeezed between Green Mountain to the east and the sharp, tilted sandstone spine of the Dakota Ridge hogback to the west. This high-capacity segment acts as a fast transitional stretch between the foothill canyons and Golden.

Sixth Avenue Golden Approach — Miles 35.6–37.1

A brief final connector on US-6 brings the route back into Golden along the base of South Table Mountain, closing the loop near the clear waters of Clear Creek.

Seasonal & Environmental Context

Elevation along the loop ranges from 5,711 feet in the valley to 7,863 feet on the high bench near Evergreen, bringing noticeable temperature drops at the upper elevations. The canyon floor along Bear Creek stays deeply shaded for much of the day; during shoulder seasons, moisture from snowmelt or rain can linger in dark corners long after sunny exposed slopes on Lookout Mountain have dried. Spring and early summer bring significant runoff to Bear Creek, while afternoon thunderstorm activity is common across the Front Range from June through August.

Logistics & Services

Fuel, food, and full commercial services are readily available at both the start and end in Golden, as well as mid-loop near Evergreen and at the canyon mouth in Morrison. Given the overall distance of 37 miles, a full tank at the start easily covers the entire run.

Important Considerations

Lookout Mountain Road (Road 68) is heavily used by road cyclists, runners, and sightseers, particularly on weekends. Sightlines on the switchbacks can be brief due to steep rock cutouts. Bear Creek Canyon carries steady localized and recreational traffic, especially during summer weekends and peak travel hours. Wildlife, particularly mule deer and elk, is common along the forested upper stretches near Genesee and Evergreen.