Lily Mountain Trail

About 6 miles south of Estes Park on Colorado Highway 7, you can find the woofderful Lily Mountain Trail. Nestled into the Roosevelt Forest, this trail will give you a challenge, but the views are worth it! It’s considered moderately difficult, and will take you and your doggo at least 3 hours round trip, not including sightseeing and relaxing at the summit. It’s the perfect way to spend a day with your best pal in nature’s wonderland.

The Lily Mountain Trailhead is located on the right side of South Saint Vrain Avenue, or Colorado Highway 7, with small parking lots on both sides of the road. These parking lots fill up quickly, but no need to fear. Just a quarter mile south down the road there is more parking at the Lily Lake parking lot, from where you can walk back to the trailhead.

From here, the adventure begins with a gradual climb through a lodgepole pine forest, and interesting rock formations. The trail then becomes progressively steeper with more rugged terrain. Fortunately, most of the trail is through a cool, evergreen forest. The last portion of the trail becomes a steep, rocky scramble to the summit. It’s not for the faint of heart, but if you take your time, the trail is relatively safe. Once you reach the top, you and your pupper will be rewarded with panoramic views of Mount Meeker, Longs Peak, the mountains along the Continental Divide and in the Mummy Range, as well as Estes Cone, and Twin Sisters Peak.

Dogs are more than welcome to join in on the fun, as long as pups and pup-parents follow a few simple rules. These include your doggo staying leashed, on the trail, and picked up after at all times. Bring enough water for you both, and clean up bags. The trail is lightly trafficked, but popular among dog owners, so you may even make some furry-friends!  

Lily Mountain Trail has plenty to offer for people and pups who are up for a challenge!