recommended routeDeer Mountain out-and-back
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/ TrailheadPhoto: Shan Nagar, Macs Adventure -
/ OverlookPhoto: Shan Nagar, Macs Adventure
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/ Halfway vista!Photo: Shan Nagar, Macs Adventure
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/ View from the top!Photo: Shan Nagar, Macs Adventure
Author’s recommendation
Tips and hints
Points of interest
Longs Peak
The only 14,000ft mountain (or "14er", to use the local lingo) in Rocky Mountain National Park, Longs Peak is a Colorado Classic. It's one of the more difficult 14ers to summit in the Front Range region, and has several route optoins in varying difficulty. One of the more difficult is "The Diamond", the sheer and prominent east face of Longs Peak, visible from the summit of Deer Mountain.
Food & drink
Stock up on food and water before you start the hike! Carry at least 2 liters of water per person, along with snacks and a packed lunch. Estes Park is the only place to stock up before you start the hike, so make sure to stop by a market or grocery store before leaving town.
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
0.0 mi. - Today's hike starts at the Deer Mountain trailhead. At the trailhead, you can park on either side of the road in the parking areas on the shoulder of the road. There is a kiosk at the start of the trail that says "Deer Mountain"; start the hike with the kiosk on your left, and continue STRAIGHT ON to start the hike.
450 ft. - At a branch in the trail, you'll see a wooden sign indicating the "Aspen Glen" campground on the left, and the Deer Mountain summit straight ahead. Continue STRAIGHT ON to continue towards the summit.
2.7 mi. - At another fork in the trail, you'll see another wooden sign on the right-hand side of the trail. THe bottom sign points towads "Estes Park" on the left; the top sign points to the "Deer Mountain Summit"; TURN RIGHT to follow the trail to the Deer Mountain summit.
2.9 mi. - Congrats, you reached the summit! Enjoy the beautiful views, drink some water, and have a snack. Then, turn arround and head back down the way you came!
3.3 mi - You'll come back to the trail junction you passed on the way up; this time, TURN LEFT to follow the sign for "Deer Ridge Junction".
5.6 mi. - Once again, you'll come to another branch in the trail that you passed on the way up. Continue STRAIGHT ON to follow the trail taking you back to the trailhead.
5.7 mi. - Congrats, you've returned the trailhead! You've completed today's walk.
Note
Coordinates
Equipment
We recommend wearing hiking boots that are well broken-in, plus a rain jacket and waterproof trousers in wet weather, as well as taking sun cream and a hat on nicer days.
In your information pack, you’ll find a detailed list of all the required hiking gear, including some good hiking boots, appropriate clothing, a rain jacket and a backpack.
Questions and answers
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