Day & Overnight Hikes: Rocky Mountain National Park

by Kim Lipker

Overview

Rocky Mountain National Park is the living showcase of the grandeur of the Rockies, with elevations ranging from 8,000 feet in the valleys to 14,259 feet at the top of Longs Peak. The park draws 3 million visitors per year with countless outdoor experiences and adventures. Choosing the best day and overnight hikes from the 359 miles of hiking trails and 200 back-country sites is a major mission. Get on the trail faster with the confidence that you've made the right choice by referencing Day & Overnight Hikes Rocky Mountain National Park.

Whether you're out to see the elk rut in autumn, the summer blooms on the hillside, the thundering falls in spring, or the white-blanketed calm of the forest in winter, author Kim Lipker has your mission accomplished. Both the west, Grand Lake side and the east, Estes Park side of the park are featured. This guide includes original GPS-based trail maps, detailed trail descriptions, overnight camping recommendations, trail guides suitable for different experience levels, and more.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781634040167
Publisher:	Menasha Ridge Press
Publication date:	02/09/2016
Series:	Day & Overnight Hikes
Edition description:	Second Edition
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 6.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Kim Lipker is a native of Colorado and is the author of three other guidebooks and their updates for Menasha Ridge Press: “60 Hikes within 60 Miles: Denver and Boulder,” first, second, and third editions; “Best Tent Camping: Colorado,” fourth and fifth editions (with Johnny Molloy); and “Smart and Savvy Hiking for Women”; along with “The Unofficial Guide to Bed & Breakfasts and Country Inns in the Rockies,” published by Hungry Minds. She also writes a regular parenting column and other features for Rocky Mountain Parent magazine, and she contributes features, ratings, and reviews for Orbitz.com and Away.com, covering parks, active sports, and outdoor adventures in the Rocky Mountains and Hawaii. Considered an expert on the Rocky Mountains by her guidebook peers, Kim has been at the writing thing for a while, having had her first news article published at age 12 and later earning a journalism degree from the University of Missouri–Columbia. Kim works for Poudre School District and lives in Fort Collins with her three children.

Read an Excerpt

Hermit Park: Kruger Rock Trail

• Scenery: ****
• Difficulty: ***
• Trail condition: ***
• Children: ***
• Solitude: ****
• Hiking time: 2½ hours
• Distance: 3.6 miles, out-and-back
• Flood Impact: 0
• Outstanding features: Meadow, forest, views of Estes Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, Mount Meeker, Longs Peak, Continental Divide, and Mummy Range

Kruger Rock Trail is located in Larimer County’s Hermit Park Open Space. The historic Hermit Park is a relatively new park (it opened in 2008) approximately 2 miles southeast of Estes Park. This hike is easy to find and makes for a great workout, with an elevation gain of more than 900 feet. Much of the trail offers a rarely seen perspective of Rocky Mountain National Park, and the views are worth the trip alone.

Pass through the parking lot and head toward the pavilion, picnic tables, restrooms, and horseshoe pits. Cross through the trees via a short path. Protected wetlands and fields surround the trailhead area on either side.

Cross the main road and travel to the main Kruger Rock Trailhead. The trail climbs gradually up an open hillside and passes through a small meadow dotted with wildflowers in the summer. Fireweed, Indian paintbrush, and aspen trees are plentiful. Continue in this direction at a slight incline. The aspen trees become dense as you pass a large rock outcropping to the left of the trail.

Turning to the north, you will come to the first switchback of the trail. The switchback takes you through a boulder field where the first elevated views of the Rocky Mountain National Park and Lake Estes can be seen. The switchbacks continue to ease the climb, and what comes up does come down, at least a little bit here and there, so expect some respite.

The first such break comes with a slight decline in the trail as it leads to a false summit where the first views of the Mummy Range can be seen to the northwest. A short descent follows the ridge to the southwest, keeping the Mummy Range in view. The trail becomes sandy in small patches during the slight decent, with rocky outcroppings popping up throughout.

The trail eventually crosses the ridge, temporarily hiding the views of Mummy Range. Don’t fret as the trail then crosses over the ridge again, keeping with the ascent, and bringing the mountain range back into scope. The trail continues slightly downward until it reaches another false summit that offers a 180-degree view of the park and the surrounding mountains. At this point the trail begins a steep climb as it switchbacks up the ascent. The trail will eventually flatten out ever so slightly as it leads southwest along the mountain. You’ll have views of Longs Peak, Mount Meeker, and the Continental Divide.

The switchbacks continue up the mountain, and your destination, Kruger Rock, comes into full view; however, another false summit dashes those dreams of glory. At this point there are two options: Turn around and head back the way you came, or put your game face on and make the trek up Kruger Rock. Routes through the middle or around the west side of Kruger Rock require some scrambling.

When you’re finished, turn around and head down the trail back to the parking lot.

TAKE NOTE
Dogs are allowed and must be leashed. The cabins here are really cute, and the tent campsites are top-notch. Stick around Hermit Park (larimer.org /naturalresources) if you want to try some of the other new trails or if you want to check out the cabins for a return overnight visit. You may reserve campsites or cabins by visiting larimercamping.com or calling 800-397-7795.

DIRECTIONS
From Denver, take I-25 north to CO 66 and travel west on CO 66 for 16 miles to Lyons. Turn right onto West Main Street onto CO 36 west. Continue on CO 36 for 16.7 miles. The entrance to Hermit Park is on the left. Pay the $6 daily entrance fee per vehicle. Take the dirt road to the Kruger Rock Trail parking area near the Pavilion.

GPS TRAILHEAD COORDINATES
N40°20.195' W105°29.108'

Table of Contents

Overview Map

Map Key

Acknowledgments

Dedication

Preface

Recommended Hikes

Introduction

East Side of Rocky Mountain National Park

• Northeast Side of Rocky Mountain National Park
• East Center of Rocky Mountain National Park
• Southeast Side of Rocky Mountain National Park

West Side of Rocky Mountain National Park

• Northwest Side of Rocky Mountain National Park
• Southwest Side of Rocky Mountain National Park

Appendixes

Index

About the Author