Racoon Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Wildflowers · Wildlife

The southern loop of this trail, which overlaps Mule Deer Trail, can be busy: it's popular both with casual walkers out for a quick stroll from Panorama Point and with mountain bikers. Signage for Raccoon has improved a lot recently, but because there are two connection points with Mule Deer and also two different routes to Reverend's Ridge Campground from the Connector, it's still possible to get off track.

Speaking of the Connector, if you're looking to add a little more distance and ascent/descent to your hike, starting and finishing at the official TH behind the campground office adds an extra mile in the form of a steady decline through lodgepole pine forest. (As a bonus, while there are vault toilets at Panorama Point, there are flush toilets and sinks at Reverend's Ridge - and even showers, for a small fee.)

The Raccoon Trail can be accessed from the Panorama Point parking lot. Look for the start of the trail leaving out of the eastern edge of the parking lot near the restrooms. The first part of the trail runs concurrent with the Mule Deer Trail, and you'll see this noted by the markings on the trail posts.

At 0.4 miles, the Raccoon Trail branches to the northwest and starts down a steady slope that runs through evergreens interspresed with the occasional aspen grove. The trail crossed one small bridge and continues downhill for roughly the next 0.8 miles before coming to a clearing and a junction with a short doubletrack that connects to Damascus Road. Turn south to stay on the Raccoon Trail.

The second half of the trail trends gradually uphill on a wider doubletrack through tall spruce trees. Eventually, you'll come to another junction with the Mule Deer Trail. Turn left here to climb back up to Panorama Point.