Page Type: | Mountain/Rock |
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Lat/Lon: | 40.37870°N / 105.5433°W |
County: | Larimer |
Activities: | Hiking, Scrambling |
Season: | Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter |
Elevation: | 8310 ft / 2533 m |
Though petite, this rocky little wonder is an Estes Park area classic. A short but sweet scramble brings the hiker to a wide-open, rocky summit that affords dynamite views of Castle Mountain, Longs Peak, Mount Meeker, Twin Sisters, Lumpy Ridge and downtown Estes Park. The peak rises distinctly directly west of the town of Estes Park and is a distinctive landmark from several vantages points east. No marked trail reaches the top and some Class 3 scrambling is required to summit.
This rocky little perch is special for more than its fine views and pleasant scrambling:
Its history includes it as being one of the oldest and largest sacred Native American sites in Colorado for more than 5,000 years. Old Man Mountain is one of only three documented Colorado "vision-quest" sites; a pilgrimage site for Native Americans who would travel great distances and fast for several days upon the mountain peak as they awaited a divine message.
-Estes Park Trail Gazette | 13 July 2013
To this day, some people visit Oldman Mountain not for the rock scampering or the scenery but for spiritual reasons.
Rank: Unranked
Prominence: 250 feet
USGS Quad: Estes Park
Planning Map: Trails Illustrated #200 Rocky Mountain National Park
YDS Class: 3
Old Man Mountain rises near the junction of US 34 and US 36 on the west end of Estes Park, Colorado. While trails run from the vicinity of Deer Mountain to the west, apparently the west face of Oldman Mountain promises a technical ascent. Most visitors to this peak will approach the mountain from the from UNC (University of Northern Colorado) Old Man Mountain Retreat Center property south of the summit.
From Elkhorn Drive west of Estes Park
-Left on Old Ranger Road left if coming out of Estes | Right on Old Ranger Road if coming from RMNP eastbound on Hwy 34
-Park* at the end of Old Ranger Road
*Note: Due to limited parking in the area, I opted to walk from the town of Estes Park west on US 34 to Elkhorn Drive
-From the road, look for a plastic post very near to the curb and a rough, unmarked trail heading uphill
-Head up the gully northward
-From the top of the gully, work your way northwest through boulders and slabs
Roundtrip Distance: ½ mile
Elevation Gain: Less than 900 vertical feet
YDS Class: 3
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Oldman Mountain is accessible year-round. However, note that snow and ice could makethe brief but occasionally steep scrambling sections more dicey than theaverage hiker would wish for. |
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