New Book Highlights Golden Gate Canyon State Park as a Top Hiking Destination

By Ryan Jacobson

In her new book, 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Denver and Boulder (June 2020, Menasha Ridge Press), local area author Mindy Sink features her choices for the area’s 60 best hiking trails. Golden Gate Canyon State Park is featured among them. Mindy grew up in Boulder and has spent most of her adult life in Denver. For the third edition of this popular guidebook, her assignment was to select 60 of the best hikes within 60 miles of Denver or Boulder and write about them. An avid hiker, Mindy explored every trail she could find, and she gained a new appreciation for the area’s beautiful and majestic settings.

The hikes within the book were chosen for their proximity to Denver and Boulder, and Mindy took special care to feature a variety of terrains, challenges, and scenery. She included Golden Gate Canyon State Park’s Raccoon and Mule Deer Trails as one of her selections.

“This hike gives you quite a payoff in views, as well as some long shady stretches on either side of the peak,” says Mindy.

Full-color photography and a full-color map accompany each entry within the book. At-a-glance information (such as distance, difficulty, and hiking time) helps readers to quickly choose a trail that’s right for their needs. An in-depth description of the route and GPS coordinates aid readers in knowing where to go and what to expect along the way. This guide has everything a hiker needs to get out and find a trail in every season. It is an essential addition to every bookshelf in Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins, and beyond.

About the Author        

Mindy Sink is the author of Walking Denver, which her daughter, Sophie Seymour, contributed to. She contributes regularly to The Denver Post, Colorado Parent, and other publications. Before becoming a guidebook author, Mindy worked for The New York Times Rocky Mountain Bureau, covering regional topics. Mindy also works in healthcare communications. She lives in Denver with her husband, Mike Seymour; their daughter, Sophie; and the family’s non-hiking cat, Marvel.