Lily Mountain Trail (Roosevelt National Forest)

Lily Mountain is the easiest mountain in this book, yet it offers a genuine climbing experience. As such, it is an excellent first climb for children whose parents want them to acquire a taste for mountaineering.

To reach the trailhead drive south of Estes Park on CO 7 to a point 2.4 miles south of Marys Lake Road (just before Mile Marker 6). At present you park on the shoulder of the highway. There is not much room, which somewhat limits the number of people hiking the trail at one time. Additionally, it is easy to err and drive on uphill past the trailhead. Watch for three major road cuts as the highway climbs the valley wall; the trail begins on the right-hand (west) side just past the third big cut.

The USDA Forest Service has considered building a parking area nearby. If it has been established by the time you read this, the trailhead should be easy to find. The parking area would allow more people on Lily Mountain simultaneously. Opinions doubtless will vary as to whether that would be a good thing.

The first part of the trail follows a very gentle grade, slightly rising and falling parallel to the road. The slope is partially forested and dotted with interesting rock outcrops. Eventually the way begins to veer left, more steeply uphill and away from the highway. At this point another trail continues straight ahead, dropping downhill. This is but one example of several branching paths that might lure you from the main trail. Ignore the right-hand fork and follow the clearer path to the left. After a series of short switchbacks, yet another false trail leads downhill. Bear left again, and climb a few more yards to the ridgetop. Turning left, follow the trail south along the ridgeline toward the summit.

Before you reach the top, the trail becomes less distinct and then fades away. Here you get to practice the challenge of route finding. Climb a few yards to the right then cut left directly for the summit. Clambering over the rocks for the last few yards should be easy and fun.

From the top there is a good view of Twin Sisters to the south, over a bump on Lily. Panning to the right from there you’ll see Meadow and St. Vrain Mountains, the Longs Peak group, the Front Range, and, away to the north, the Mummy Range. The extensive red-roofed buildings of the YMCA of the Rockies lie below in the northwest. In the valley to the northeast, ranch land and residences extend along Fish Creek to Estes Park and Lake Estes. All in all, the summit of Lily Mountain is a pleasant, satisfying sort of place, well worth the effort it takes to get there.