OverviewMount Morrison & The World Famous Red Rocks Park & Amphitheater from Dinosaur Ridge Photo by Aaron Johnson Located just west of the Denver metro area, Mount Morrison calls to hikers and climbers of all abilities. A wide variety of ROUTES abound on the mountain’s east side. A number of short technical routes are also available. Wildlife is abundant and the view from the summit is inspiring.
GREAT NEWS! THE SUMMIT IS NOW ACCESSIBLE!
For years the summit was fenced in and covered with an unsightly antenna and building which have since been removed! Enjoy!
Mount Morrison can claim a heritage no other mountain can. Where many mountains sport a colorful history of pioneers, miners, climbers and new routes, Mount Morrison’s history continues to evolve with no end in sight. The mountain has a history dating back to Colorado’s gold rush, but it boasts another type of history no other mountain can enjoy: Music! Cradled beneath Morrison’s east face is a place known throughout the world—Red Rocks, one of the most renowned and recognized concert venues in the world.
Colorado has many famous peaks, but low profile Mount Morrison is likely the state’s most visible mountain. Serving as a dramatic backdrop for concerts and videos, Mount Morrison is seen by millions world wide on regular basis. The mountain is displayed prominently in concert videos by Stevie Nicks, U2 and the Moody Blues.
A hike or climb up one of Mount Morrison’s many routes is a worth while experience. Make it extra special by taking time to visit Red Rocks, where music history is routinely made in real time. There is also plenty to see and do in the nearby area. Be sure to see the many route options and more in the ROUTES section, as well as the numerous LINKS (upper left hand corner of this page). Want to make your climb of Morrison unforgettable? Follow up your climb of the mountain with a concert at Red Rocks! Where else in the world can you do that?
Getting ThereOPTION 1-INTERSTATE 70
Take Interstate 70 west from the Denver Area to the Morrison Exit. Go south on Highway 93 to the first entrance to Red Rocks Park. Depending on your route choice, refer to the Mount Morrison ROUTE PAGE to determine which road to take once in the park.
To get to the trailhead for the North Ridge Route, once on Highway 93, take the first right south of Interstate 70 to the Matthews-Winters Open Space Park.
OPTION 2-ALAMEDA AVENUE
From the Denver metro area, take Alameda Avenue due west. At Kipling Street, the road becomes Colorado State Highway 26. Follow it as it climbs over the southeast shoulder of Green Mountain to a light at Jewell Avenue. Turn right at this light, continuing on Hwy 26 over C-470 and the Dakota Hogback, a dramatic approach to Mount Morrison and Red Rocks. Drive down the other side of the hogback and cross the intersection directly into Red Rocks Park. Depending on your route choice, refer to the Mount Morrison ROUTE PAGE to determine which road to take once in the park.
To get to the trailhead for the North Ridge Route, turn right, going north on Highway 93 at the Red Rocks Park entrance to Matthews-Winters Open Space Park, which will be on your left just before the I-70 interchange.
OPTION 3-MORRISON ROAD
From the Denver metro area, take Highway 8 (Morrison Road) west to the town of Morrison, passing beneath highway C-470. Proceed slowly through town lest you get a speeding ticket. At the light in town, go right, then left due north up Highway 93 to the second and main entrance to Red Rocks Park and turn left. For the North Ridge Route trailhead, continue on Highway 93 north to the Matthews-Winters Open Space Park, which will be on your left just before the I-70 interchange.
If approaching the mountain from the south, proceed through Morrison on Hwy 74 to the second south entrance into Red Rocks Park. Depending on your route choice, refer to the Mount Morrison ROUTE PAGE to determine which road to take once in the park.
OPTION 4-HIGHWAY 285
From the Denver metro area, take Hampden Avenue, also known as Colorado Highway 285 due west toward Conifer. Just before the Hogbacks, take Highway C-470 north (right) to the Morrison Road exit, turn left and proceed into Morrison (see Option 3).
You can also proceed up 285 to the next exit for Colorado Highway 8 and turn right, following this road north to the town of Morrison. As you drop into town, watch your speed lest you receive a ticket! You will cross Bear Creek and arrive at a light. Turn left and proceed up Highway 74 to the second Red Rocks Park south entrance. Depending on your route choice, refer to the Mount Morrison ROUTE PAGE to determine which road to take once in the park.
A map of the roads within Red Rocks Park can be seen HERE. Be sure to view the links in the LINKS section.
Red TapeThere is no fee involved accessing Red Rocks Park or Mount Morrison. HOWEVER-
If a concert event is in progress, access to the Park is restricted to ticket holders from a predetermined time, usually 5pm, on the day of the event. A climb of the mountain is still possible from the South or North Ridge routes, and other “trail blazing possibilities” exist from the south via Bear Creek Canyon along Highway 74.
Red Rocks Park has normal operation hours of 5am to 11pm. This may be a factor because, unlike a lot of mountains, Mount Morrison is a very pleasant moonlight climb! Complete your moonlight stroll before the park is closed. See the ROUTE PAGE.
Most of Mount Morrison's east side is in the Denver Mountain parks system, and rock climbing is prohibited. An offense could result in a $999 fine or 180 days in jail. Although it's unlikely you'll be caught climbing rocks on Mount Morrison, shold you sustain an injury as a result of falling and require rescue, the authorities might be compelled to issue the fine. Climb accordingly and with care.
When To ClimbThe mountain can be climbed year round with certain precautions. Expect searing temperatures during the summer and bitter cold temperatures in winter. Best time to climb is early Spring, Fall or an evening climb during the summer. See the Essentials section on the ROUTE PAGE.
CampingThe mountain should be considered as a day hike. Staying in a hotel in Lakewood or Denver makes more sense. Nearby Morrison has bed and breakfast establishments.
If you desire, you can camp on Mount Morrison, or even bivy on a warm summer’s night. Good luck avoiding the cactus! Following heavy snow events, springs are abundant on the mountain but are usually short lived. Do not consider it potable. Pack plenty of water.
Mountain ConditionsWest Denver Forecast
GOES Western US Satellite Image
Nine News Weather Forecast for Denver Area
Hiking Mount Morrison is similar to desert hiking. Expect dry conditions. Access may be limited due to concert events at Red Rocks Park. Radio towers on top of the mountain are reported to emit RF frequencies that exceed recommended levels. Since your stay on the summit is likely to be brief, there’s no need to worry about excessive exposure that results in growing an extra appendage or some other aberration.
Be advised that Mount Morrison is the home of many critters, including rattlesnakes. These critters can comouflage themselves and be hard to spot before it's too late. Be aware and on the lookout for them when climbing Mount Morrison.
Red Rocks Park2001 marked the 60th Anniversary of Red Rocks. Originally coined “The Garden of Angels,” Red Rocks hosted concerts staged by John Brisbane Walker as early as 1906. In 1927, the City of Denver bought the park from Walker for $54,133. Talk about a steal! Plans were drawn up and twelve years later, the Amphitheatre was completed. The seats and stage are situated between two impressive rock formations known as Ship Rock and Creation Rock. Many inexperienced climbers have fallen to their deaths from these slick rock perches, prompting the city to enact a no climbing clause back in the 70s, still enforced today with $999 fines.
The first of the popular Sunrise Services held on Easter Weekend occurred in 1947. Countless historical events, mostly in the form of concerts, followed. A few events of note are the Moody Blues’ concert with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, which was a test that resulted in their tour playing with orchestras across America. U2’s video “Under a Blood Red Sky” was filmed at Red Rocks, catapulting the venue to world wide fame and acclaim. A riot at Jethro Tull’s 1970 concert resulted in the entire music season being cancelled for that year.
A map of the roads within Red Rocks Park can be seen HERE. Be sure to view the links in the LINKS section.
UPCOMING EVENTS AT RED ROCKS
More Red Rocks PhotosOther Attractions & ActivitiesThere’s plenty to do before or after your climb of Mount Morrison. Below is a list of attractions in Mount Morrison’s IMMEDIATE area. Beyond the scope of this page, your entertainment possibilities are endless. See the LINKS section for more information.
Matthews-Winters Open Space Park, Hayden-Green Mountain Open Space, Dakota Ridge, the town of Morrison, Bear Creek Reservoir, Mount Falcon Open Space Park, White Ranch Open Space Park, the town of Golden, Mount Galbraith, Deer Creek Canyon Park, Heritage Square and of course, the city of Denver.
Tech & Sport Climbers: For your climbing pleasure, be sure to check out the almost endless possibilities of North Table Mountain, superbly represented by SP member Big G.
A RECENT ACQUISITION FOR JEFFERSON COUNTY OPEN SPACE WILL SOON BE FULLY ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC: South Table Mountain was recently purchased from Coors Brewing, and is regarded as the most significant purchase of open space land in 30 years. More will be presented here as developments happen.
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