Lariat Loop Scenic & Historic Byway
Encyclopedia
The Lariat Loop Scenic & Historic Byway is a 40 miles (64.4 km) route in the foothills between Golden
, Morrison
, and Evergreen
about 20 miles (32.2 km) west of Denver, Colorado
. The byway includes portions of State Highway 93 between Golden and Morrison, State Highway 74 from Morrison to Evergreen via Bear Creek Canyon, and the same road north to Interstate 70, which bisects the loop. The Lariat Trail connects Golden with the top of Lookout Mountain and Lookout Mountain Road completes the loop back to Interstate 70. This route formed the foundation for the surrounding 150 square miles (388.5 km²) area’s designation as a Colorado Heritage Area in 2000; the Byway was so designated by the Colorado Dept. of Transportation and Governor Owens in April 2002. The Lariat Loop connects to the Mount Evans Scenic Byway
via Squaw Pass Road.
The Lariat Loop Byway blends natural, cultural, and historic attributes in a route that has been promoted as a tourist destination since 1914 and can be enjoyed in a half-day’s drive from Denver. Along the route are dozens of historic sites, scenic parks, and other attractions (see list below), many of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places
. Although the Lariat Loop is not listed, it comprises two registered routes, the Bear Creek Canyon Scenic Mountain Drive
and the Lariat Trail Scenic Mountain Drive.
The Lariat Loop encompasses parts of Denver’s original “circle drives,” within the unique Denver Mountain Parks
system designed by F.L. Olmsted, Jr, in 1914. The diverse geography of the foothills setting offers dense forests, mountain vistas, winding roads, rocky outcrops and ridges, and historic “beauty spots.” Many of these scenic areas have become county or city parks and are accessible to the public.
All roads along the Lariat Loop Byway are accessible via passenger vehicle, with convenient services, year-round. Open Space and Mountain Parks are protected areas and all wildlife and plants are protected. Wildfire is an ever-present risk; please be careful and observe any posted restrictions. No other special considerations are necessary.
Golden, Colorado
The City of Golden is a home rule municipality that is the county seat of Jefferson County, Colorado, United States. Golden lies along Clear Creek at the edge of the foothills of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. Founded during the Pike's Peak Gold Rush on 16 June 1859, the mining camp was...
, Morrison
Morrison, Colorado
The historic Town of Morrison is a Home Rule Municipality in Jefferson County, Colorado, United States. The population was 430 at the 2000 census...
, and Evergreen
Evergreen, Colorado
Evergreen is a census-designated place and a U.S. Post Office in Jefferson County, Colorado, United States. Evergreen is roughly west of Denver. The population was 9,038 at the 2010 census...
about 20 miles (32.2 km) west of Denver, Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
. The byway includes portions of State Highway 93 between Golden and Morrison, State Highway 74 from Morrison to Evergreen via Bear Creek Canyon, and the same road north to Interstate 70, which bisects the loop. The Lariat Trail connects Golden with the top of Lookout Mountain and Lookout Mountain Road completes the loop back to Interstate 70. This route formed the foundation for the surrounding 150 square miles (388.5 km²) area’s designation as a Colorado Heritage Area in 2000; the Byway was so designated by the Colorado Dept. of Transportation and Governor Owens in April 2002. The Lariat Loop connects to the Mount Evans Scenic Byway
Mount Evans Scenic Byway
The Mount Evans Scenic Byway begins at the junction of Interstate 70 and State Highway 103 near Idaho Springs, Colorado and continues on State Highway 5 through the Mount Evans Wilderness where it ends near the summit of Mount Evans. The byway is in length and gains over of elevation...
via Squaw Pass Road.
The Lariat Loop Byway blends natural, cultural, and historic attributes in a route that has been promoted as a tourist destination since 1914 and can be enjoyed in a half-day’s drive from Denver. Along the route are dozens of historic sites, scenic parks, and other attractions (see list below), many of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
. Although the Lariat Loop is not listed, it comprises two registered routes, the Bear Creek Canyon Scenic Mountain Drive
Bear Creek Canyon Scenic Mountain Drive
Bear Creek Canyon Scenic Mountain Drive is located mear Morrison, Colorado. It was built in 1914 and added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 15, 1990....
and the Lariat Trail Scenic Mountain Drive.
The Lariat Loop encompasses parts of Denver’s original “circle drives,” within the unique Denver Mountain Parks
Denver Mountain Parks
The Denver Mountain Parks system contains more than 14,000 acres of parklands in the mountains and foothills of Jefferson, Clear Creek, Douglas,and Grand counties in Colorado, west and south of Denver....
system designed by F.L. Olmsted, Jr, in 1914. The diverse geography of the foothills setting offers dense forests, mountain vistas, winding roads, rocky outcrops and ridges, and historic “beauty spots.” Many of these scenic areas have become county or city parks and are accessible to the public.
All roads along the Lariat Loop Byway are accessible via passenger vehicle, with convenient services, year-round. Open Space and Mountain Parks are protected areas and all wildlife and plants are protected. Wildfire is an ever-present risk; please be careful and observe any posted restrictions. No other special considerations are necessary.
Lariat Loop attractions include
- Jefferson County Open Space Parks
- Denver Mountain ParksDenver Mountain ParksThe Denver Mountain Parks system contains more than 14,000 acres of parklands in the mountains and foothills of Jefferson, Clear Creek, Douglas,and Grand counties in Colorado, west and south of Denver....
- Buffalo Bill Museum & Grave
- Lookout Mountain Nature Center & Preserve
- Boettcher Mansion
- Chief Hosa Lodge
- Humphrey Memorial Park & Museum
- Evergreen Lake
- Hiwan Homestead Museum
- Morrison Natural History Museum
- Morrison Historical District
- Dinosaur RidgeDinosaur RidgeDinosaur Ridge is part of the Morrison Fossil Area National Natural Landmark located in Morrison, Colorado, just west of Denver.The Dinosaur Ridge area is one of the world's most famous dinosaur fossil localities. In 1877, some of the best-known dinosaurs were found here, including Apatosaurus,...
- Red Rocks ParkRed Rocks ParkRed Rocks Park is a mountain park in Jefferson County, Colorado, owned and maintained by the city of Denver as part of the Denver Mountain Parks system. The park is known for its very large red sandstone outcrops. Many of these rock formations within the park have names, from the mushroom-shaped...
and Red Rocks AmphitheatreRed Rocks AmphitheatreRed Rocks Amphitheatre is a rock structure near Morrison, Colorado, where concerts are given in the open-air amphitheatre. There is a large, tilted, disc-shaped rock behind the stage, a huge vertical rock angled outwards from stage right, several large outcrops angled outwards from stage left and a... - Mother Cabrini ShrineMother Cabrini ShrineMother Cabrini Shrine is a shrine to Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, known as Mother Cabrini, located in Golden, Colorado, United States.The shrine site includes the Stone House, listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Queen of Heaven Orphanage Summer Camp, a statue of the Sacred...
- National Renewable Energy LaboratoryNational Renewable Energy LaboratoryThe National Renewable Energy Laboratory , located in Golden, Colorado, is the United States' primary laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory is a government-owned, contractor-operated facility; it is funded through...
(NREL) - Colorado School of Mines Geology MuseumColorado School of Mines Geology MuseumThe Colorado School of Mines Geology Museum is a geology museum based in the Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado, USA. It was established in 1873 and opened in 1874....
- Foothills Art Center
- Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum
- Golden Visitors Center
- Golden Pioneer Museum
- Astor House Museum
- Clear Creek History Park
- Colorado Railroad MuseumColorado Railroad MuseumThe Colorado Railroad Museum is a non-profit railroad museum The museum is located on at a point where Clear Creek flows between North and South Table Mountains in Golden, Colorado....