Estes Cone

This short, steep climb is reputed to yield some of the best panoramas in the park.

Plan Around Estes Cone

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Estes Cone Details

This short, steep climb up Estes Cone is reputed to yield some of the best panoramas in the park. From the Longs Peak Trailhead, the trail begins by climbing moderately in a dense pine forest, growing steeper as the elevation increases, until it reaches the remains of the Eugenia Mine, an unsuccessful gold mine dating back to the early 1900s. From here the trail steepens, and climbs the last 1,000 feet in a mere ½ mile. This section, aside from being virtually vertical, is doubly challenging footing tends to be loose, and the trail can be difficult to follow at times. The views from the pinnacle summit, however, are indescribable, and over sweeping panoramas of Longs Peak, the Continental Divide, Estes Park, and the Twin Sisters Peaks. For Lily Lake, this trail is 3.7 miles, 3-3.5 hours, and has an elevation change of 2,369 feet.

Difficulty

High

Distance

3.3 miles

Estimated time

3.5 hours

Region

N/A

Nearby Parks Around Estes Cone

Compare nearby parks around Estes Cone when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.

6.5 mi away

Rocky Mountain

National Park · CO

164.3 mi away

Black Canyon

National Park · CO

175.5 mi away

Great Sand Dunes

National Park · CO

245.0 mi away

Arches

National Park · UT

254.3 mi away

Mesa Verde

National Park · CO

259.8 mi away

Canyonlands

National Park · UT

Nearby Points of Interest Around Estes Cone

Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Estes Cone while the map context is still fresh.

0.1 mi away

Longs Peak

The unforgettable climb up to the summit is one of the most challenging and rewarding ascents.

0.1 mi away

Longs Peak Trailhead

The square-topped, 14,259-foot Longs Peak is one of Rocky Mountain National Park's most distinctive landmarks.

0.1 mi away

Longs Peak Trailhead

The square-topped, 14,255-foot Longs Peak is one of Rocky Mountain National Park's most distinctive landmarks.

0.2 mi away

Longs Peak Campground

Open year-round, Long's Peak Campground has 26 campsites for tents only.

0.2 mi away

Longs Peak Campground

Open year-round, Long's Peak Campground has 26 campsites for tents only.