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Estes Cone Trail

Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 4.0 (15)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Front Range
  4. …Rocky Mountain National Park
  5. Bear Lake
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“A trail that quickly summits Estes Cone. ”

Brian Smith
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Google Map
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Map Key

1.3

Miles

2.1

KM

Point to Point

10,974' 3,345 m

High

9,731' 2,966 m

Low

1,242' 379 m

Up

0' 0 m

Down

18%

Avg Grade (10°)

49%

Max Grade (26°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Description

This trail begins on the west side of CO 7, just south of the Lily Lake trailhead, and provides access to Estes Cone.

Estes Cone is a unique geologic formation located just north and east of Longs Peak that rises to an elevation of just over 11,000 feet. Most hikers will access Estes Cone from either the Storm Pass trailhead via the Storm Pass Trail or from the Lily Lake trailhead, also via Storm Pass Trail.

From south to north, this trail gets increasingly steeper and not surprisingly, more difficult. After crossing Storm Pass Trail, the Estes Cone Trail has its most aggressive increase in grade. From this point, the trail will lead you through a series of switchbacks all the way to the summit of Estes Cone. From the summit, enjoy sweeping views of Estes Park to the north, the Twin Sisters to the East and Longs Peak to the south.

Contacts

Land Manager: National Park Service - Rocky Mountain National Park

Shared By:

Brian Smith
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 15 votes

#12

in Bear Lake

#8123

Overall
  4.0 from 15 votes
5 Star
40%
4 Star
33%
3 Star
13%
2 Star
13%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#12

in Bear Lake

#613

in Colorado

#8,123

Overall
14 Views Last Month
2,682 Since Jan 28, 2015
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
0%
0%
18%
24%
59%
0%
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Photos

Estes Cone - Summit view
Feb 8, 2022 near Estes Park, CO
View from summit of Estes Cone - Longs Peak in the clouds
Feb 8, 2022 near Estes Park, CO
June 1st can be a bit early - be prepared for snow on the trail.
Feb 19, 2018 near Estes Park, CO

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Jun 28, 2023
alex Th13l
w/ the middle school boys 0.7mi
Oct 5, 2021
Julius Rice
Sep 15, 2021
Holly Roberts
Sep 15, 2021
Benjamin Brooks
Jul 15, 2021
Erin Andersen
Estes Cone via Storm Pass trail (Lily Lake). 7.9mi — 5h 05m
Mar 7, 2021
Kevin F
Jan 30, 2021
Ben S
We went lilly lake to storm pass, and then up to Estes Cone. Nice hike, a little icy, but not treacherous. Many people turned back at storm pass. 1.4mi
Aug 1, 2019
Mark Olson

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