Lily Lake to Estes Cone Hike

DIFFICULTY: about 8.5 miles with about 2,500 feet elevation gain.

Hikes scheduled months in advance are always subject to date/time change or cancellation due to weather, trail conditions or closures, or other unforeseen circumstances. We hike as a group at a moving pace of about 2 to 2.5 mph. Although the group may split up due to different hiking paces, everyone is expected to wait at all intersections, creek crossings & periodically otherwise so that we can regroup and so no one is left behind or hiking on their own for safety purposes.

HIKE DESCRIPTION: At about 11,010 feet, the summit of Estes Cone is formed of exposed, jagged, lichen-covered rocks that rise above the surrounding bushes and stunted pines, giving a 360 degree view over the eastern edge of Rocky Mountain National Park including Longs Peak to the south, Twin Sisters to the east and the valley of Glacier Creek to the northwest. Though the summit affords a grand panorama, most of the hike is through thickly wooded rocky terrain. This is my first time doing this hike, but I understand that in order to get to the summit, some rock scrambling will be required. After we break at 11,000+ feet, we will head back the way we came. We will do the following hike in alltrails: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/lilly-lake-to-estes-cone-loop

DOGS: 🚫 not allowed in RMNP.

ADDRESS/DIRECTIONS: We will meet at the Lily Lake trailhead. To get there, you can click on the alltrails link above and click directions. If you use Google Maps, you can type in “Lily Lake” for directions. If you use Apple Maps, you can type in “Lily Lake Trailhead” for directions.

We wait 5 minutes for late arrivals…but no longer as that is inconsiderate to those arriving timely. So please allow extra time to get to the trailhead.

IMPORTANT: This is a participate at your own risk event! Life is risky. I am not a professional guide and am simply hosting this event. By signing up for this hike you acknowledge that you are capable of performing this hike and that you are solely responsible for your own safety.

NO SHOWS: If you are a no-show to 2 hikes, you will be booted from this meetup group. So please change your RSVP to “not going” if you are unable to make it.

WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING: Water, snacks, layers of clothing, good hiking shoes/boots, sunscreen, bug repellant, sunglasses, hat, gloves, hiking poles (if you find them helpful), and anything else you deem essential.

WEATHER: Here is the NOAA forecast for the hike location. For hourly temps, wind, precipitation, etc., click “Hourly Weather Forecast” in the upper right. https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=40.29526000000004&lon=-105.56721999999996

REQUIRED WAIVER: If you have not already done so, you must sign the updated waiver with our new meetup name prior to this hike. I will have copies at the trailhead that you can sign or you may print, sign, and bring it with you from the following website: https://www.dropbox.com/s/p728z28jjuwdzws/Waiver%20Corona.pdf?dl=0
If you choose to sign at the trailhead, please arrive early so that we can depart for the hike timely.