Designated as a National Recreation Trail in 1978. The trail follows the Columbine Canyon Trail #71 for the first 1.4 miles. Just past the Deer Creek crossing turn left up the Deer Creek Trail #69. Follow the trail switchbacks through aspen stands to the ridge above tree line with views to the west of Lobo Peak and Flag Mountain. Trail #69 turns north, reentering bristlecone pine forest. Here you will join the Gold Hill Trail #64 which follows the open ridge above tree line over the summit of Gold Hill (12,711 ft) and above Goose Lake. The trail follows the ridge down to Bull of the Woods Pasture where it meets Trail #90 which ends at the Twining Campground in Taos Ski Valley.
