Rabbit Ears Peak

Dogs Off-leash

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Geological Significance · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Due to its accessibility, Rabbit Ears Peak proves a perfect day trip for hikers of any ability level. Although the volcanic rock formation at the top has eroded significantly, with a large chunk falling off in 2017, you can still see the "Rabbit Ears" that gave this pass and peak its name.

This peak is easy to access, easy to summit, and the trail wide enough—as it's a forest road—to hike side by side. Which means, of course, it's also relatively crowded on summer weekends. (ATVs and jeeps are allowed here, too, so you may encounter some motorized traffic as well.)

The hike itself starts as a very easy stroll through a beautiful wildflower meadow, with columbines, paintbrush, and more. The last quarter mile of the hike, however, can prove a difficult challenge to some as it's essentially a rock scramble, but once you get there, the views are worth it. Be careful approaching the summit as the rock is quite loose in places, and please don't climb on the ears!

Dogs are allowed to be off-leash, but if they're not under voice control, you may want to keep them tethered due to horses, ATVs, and jeeps.

Columbines, paintbrush, sunflowers, and more!