SOUTH SLOPES APPROACH & ROUTE Class 1
Take Alameda Avenue due west from the Denver area. At Kipling Street, the road becomes Colorado State Highway 26. Follow it as it climbs over the southeast shoulder of Green Mountain to a light at Green Mountain Drive. Proceed through this light, and keep an eye out on the right for a large, unpaved parking area. Cars will likely be present along with a porta-pot. Park here and follow the well constructed maintained trail up Green Mountain. Another trail head is further along the road if the first one is full. Unmarked trail alternatives are also available. Once the initial climb of the ridge is complete, it’s a casual stroll northwest to the summit.
ONE WAY MILEAGE: 2.1
GAIN: 762 feet

EAST SLOPES APPROACH & ROUTE Class 1
Take Alameda Avenue due west from the Denver area. At Kipling Street, the road becomes Colorado State Highway 26. Follow it as it climbs up Green Mountain’s shoulder. At the top of this hill, go through the light at Green Mountain Drive, and past some buff colored apartments. Turn right on Foothill Drive. Follow this road as it climbs steeply into the Green Mountain neighborhood. As you drive down the other side of this hill, be on the lookout for an unmarked trailhead on the left. Park on the left side of the road and follow the trail past a chain gate up the draw due west toward Green Mountain. The trail rapidly reduces to a hiker’s trail as it climbs out of the draw by a fenced water facility. Gain the ridge and follow the trail up to a radio tower and join the standard route, heading due northwest to the summit. 90 minutes total execution time.
ONE WAY MILEAGE: 1.6
GAIN: 750 feet

WEST SLOPES APPROACH & ROUTE Class 1
Take Highway 40, otherwise known as Colfax Avenue to Golden. Go past the C-470 and Highway 6 interchanges. A half mile beyond Highway 6, turn south on Rooney Road. Follow Rooney Road almost two miles, passing under I-70 in the process. Turn left to a paved parking area situated between C-470 to the east and the Dinosaur Ridge formation to the west and park. This parking lot can also be reached via Rooney Road from Highway 26 due south, just before the road climbs up Dinosaur Ridge. The paved bike trail starts on the south end of the lot, running along the highway and then over it via a bridge. The route becomes a dirt road, which is used by hikers and bikers for a leisurely outing to the top of Green Mountain. As the route climbs eastward to gain the broad top of the mountain, the summit is visible to the south. The road, popular with mountain bikers, was once a 4WD route, but was later graded and made civil for access to the radio tower on top. 90 minutes or more execution time.
ONE WAY MILEAGE: 1.5 miles
GAIN: 760 feet

GREEN MOUNTAIN SUMMIT
The view is surprisingly good from the inconspicuous, humped top. Mount Evans, the front range and Longs Peak are all visible, along with Pikes Peak and the entire Denver area. Mount Morrison and Red Rocks look impressive as well. Wildflowers and wildlife are abundant. Unless you have planned a shuttle outing from one trailhead to another, return the way you came.

Combination Routes

Green Mountain can be combined with other area trails and destinations for some intriguing and challenging extended hikes and climbs. Be sure to check out the following possibilities. Photos are included:

Mount Morrison & Other Diversions

Mount Morrison Marathon

Essential Gear

Hiking boots, light pack, appropriate clothing for conditions, lots of water and sunscreen.