Lily Mountain Trailhead

About

Lily Mountain is the short, steep climb off Highway 7 that people skip because it sits outside the Park. Their loss. It's about four miles round trip, with a little scrambling at the top and a summit view that takes in Longs Peak, Mount Meeker, and the Mummy Range.

The trailhead is just under six miles south of Estes Park on Colorado Highway 7. It's in Roosevelt National Forest, though the trail shows up on the Park maps. Plan on about four miles round trip and roughly 1,180 feet of climbing. The path follows a ridgeline above the highway, then heads up through evergreens, mostly uphill the whole way. Near the top it turns into a scramble with steep drop-offs. Parking is in small lots on both sides of the highway, with overflow at Lily Lake about a quarter mile south.

I'd go early, for the parking spot and because you don't want to be on that summit when afternoon weather rolls in. Wear shoes with real tread. The scramble is short, but it's the part that gets people, so if the rock is wet or icy, call it a good walk and turn around. Bring more water than seems sensible for four miles. It's steeper than the number makes it sound. I couldn't find the Forest Service's dog rule for this trail, so check before you bring one.