OverviewMount Morrison from Dinosaur Ridge
Mount Morrison Marathon Route, Spring, 2004 Photo by Aaron Johnson
The purpose of this hike is conditioning and exposure to a variety of terrain for beginning climbers. This route works well to increase one’s endurance and tone up muscles for greater challenges later in Colorado’s climbing season.
This route is intended as a shuttle hike, parking cars at one end and hiking to cars at the other end (see approach section below). In the event of an illness or injury, there is no place to bail from the route expediently to reach your vehicle, and the summoning of help from other parties would be necessary. Please make certain that everyone in your party is in good shape before executing this hike.
Although mountainous in character, this is essentially a desert hike. Take more water than usual. In the event you run out of water, you can refill somewhere in Red Rocks Park, although your diversion to do so may be considerable.
Although the route follows trails all the way, conditions on the Monocline Route will vary considerably. Good hiking boots are highly recommended and some degree of climbing experience. If folks in your party are inexperienced, an experienced leader is strongly suggested.
Three small mountains are climbed during this route. Although they are small, do not discount their potential to be formidable. All three are considerable challenges in the heat, and the inexperienced can get themselves easily hurt on Mount Morrison.
Elevation profile of the Mount Morrison Marathon
For data specifics, go here.
The route can be executed in either direction, but the description presented here starts at Green Mountain first. Green Mountain is a simple walk up old 4WD and access roads, warming the body up for more fun to come. Dinosaur Ridge achieves the same objective on hiking and biking trails, but the terrain is a rockier. A descent from Dinosaur Ridge places you 241 feet lower than your starting point, then the final climb begins, through scenic Red Rocks Park and up the impressively steep Monocline Route on Mount Morrison. This route traverses talus, loose rock and gravel and Class 2 climbing obstacles on solid rock. Class 3 options are available along the way. The descent also involves steep Class 2 terrain and loose trail conditions. Total is 9.8 miles, 3,349 fee of gain with a drop of 241 feet below your starting point...lots of up and down and a good work out!
Executing the route in reverse has the advantage of placing the easier objectives toward the end of the hike, but the finish will not be as exciting or dramatic.
My thanks to the IU Trekkers for their willingness to be guinea pigs in the execution of this route, despite some uncertainty. This route is a fun one and certainly a success!--AJ
MOUNT MORRISON MARATHON ROUTE
9.8 miles, 3,349' gain, 242' loss.
ANNOTATED NUMBERS: 1: Rock catwalk; 2: Zorro Trail; 3: Dinosaur Ridge High Point; 4: Dinosaur Ridge Highp[oint #2; 5: Red Rocks Tunnel; 6: Class 2+ rock problems on the Monocline Route of Mount Morrison.
Shuttle InstructionsRefer to directions on the MAIN PAGE to access the RED ROCKS SOUTH ENTRANCE. Park your shuttle vehicle(s) here, and make sure everyone has their keys. Drive up the road to a stop sign. Turn left and follow the road up through the park and enjoy the spectacular scenery! You’ll come to a stop sign at the Red Rocks Trading Post. Turn left. Follow this road further through the park. As it bends left, follow the road. It will descend and take you to the north park entrance.
Cross directly across the road and follow the road (Highway 26) up and through the Dinosaur Ridge hogback formation. The road descends the hogback, passing Rooney Road and the Dinosaur Ridge Visitor Center (on the left). Continue on Highway 26 over C-470 to a lighted intersection. Turn left at this light. You’ll bypass 2 trailheads, likely occupied with cars, for Green Mountain.
The road levels. Look sharp for a blue street sign on your left labled Foothills Drive. Turn left. The road climbs up a steep hill as it climbs into the Green Mountain neighborhood. The road descends. Be alert for a clearing on the left and a trail (use road) that heads up a draw through a gate. Park on the left side of the road in front of this clearing. Please do not park in front of people’s homes. Your journey starts here.
Make sure (again) that everyone has their keys.
Route DescriptionPART ONE: GREEN MOUNTAIN
From your car, hike west through the gate and up the draw on a 4WD access road, Bypass a water facility enclosed by a fence and continue up the ridge. Join the signed Green Mountain Trail, go right, and bypass a radio tower on a well maintained dirt road. Enjoy the expansive view as you march on this road. The inconspicuous summit of Green Mountain is on your left and involves a brief side trip.
From the summit, follow the road as it descends down Green Mountain’s west side. During your descent, you’ll spot the next section of your route: The Zorro Trail zig-zagging up the east side of Dinosaur Ridge. Near the C-470 highway, the road bends around to the east. Take a foot trail that runs along a rock formation. Scramble up on this narrow catwalk for a quick diversion before proceeding over the access bridge spanning C-470. In minutes you’ll arrive at a parking lot where hikers and bikers disembark for either Green Mountain or Dinosaur Ridge.
   
PART TWO: DINOSAUR RIDGE
Follow the road out of the parking lot due west and cross Rooney Road. Engage the signed Zorro Trail and follow it to the saddle along the ridge, where the trail meets up with the crest trail of Dinosaur Ridge. Go left (south) and follow this trail as it climbs to the first highpoint along the ridge (this is not the Dinosaur Ridge summit, located to the north and not part of this route), then follows the ridge down to parking just north of where Highway 26 cuts through the hogback. Stay on the trail and please share it with the mountain bikers.
The trail deposits you on the road. Cross the road (the half way point) to the east side and continue south to a point of interest and plaques. Follow the signs as they lead you on the continuing Dinosaur Ridge trail, which climbs quickly to another high point south of the cut through the ridge. The trail then drops via switchbacks toward the road. The next objective of the hike is now in full view: Mount Morrison, towering above Red Rocks Park.
  
PART THREE: RED ROCKS PARK
Cross the road, which is where the Red Rocks Trail begins. Go right, enter the park and cross a bridge, walking on the north side of the road. This is the lowest point of elevation during this route. Go past Jurassic Road. Turn right onto a signed trail and follow it as it winds westward through a meadow. At the intersection, go left (south). The trail contours and eventually turns west as it climbs into the park. At a sign indicating the trail, cross the road into a parking lot, take a use trail on your right up the hill to another road and go left, following it through a tunnel.
PART FOUR: MOUNT MORRISON, MONOCLINE ROUTE Class 2
This road leads to the highest parking area in Red Rocks Park, the circular Amphitheater parking lot. Just short of the parking lot, look sharp for some crumbly orange cliffs on your right. Just past these cliffs is a very rocky and steep trail. This is the beginning of the Monocline Route up Mount Morrison. Be sure to stay on this trail, as several obscure side trails will present themselves. The trail winds around to your right (north), and assumes the ridge, climbing in a direct line due west toward the summit.
The trail is steep and direct and does not vary, so stay on the ridge and mind your footing on this loose terrain. The route levels briefly, then climbs again in steep fashion through meadows, then arriving at a wall of rock. Many Class 3 or even Class 4 option present themselves. A square notch to the left provides steep Class 2 access. Scramble up through this notch if beginners are in your party.
    
Above, many more rock climbing problems are available to explore, all of which can be bypassed on one side or the other. Ascend the talus bed of the Monocline just below the summit. For the descent, look sharp for a trail descending to the south. This trail is the South Ridge Route, which will take you to your shuttle vehicle.
Descend through some interesting Class 2 terrain. Difficulties abate as you arrive at more gentle terrain along the winding ridge top. Follow the well marked and obvious trail along this ridge, bypassing a memorial. The trail bends to the east and descends in earnest toward your vehicle, paralleling a power line at mile 8.9. Good tread will pay off handsomely on this steep trail.
 
Arrive at your vehicle at mile 9.8.
MILEAGE & LANDMARKS
0.0 6,098’ Start
.84 Radio Tower
1.6 Green Mountain Summit
2.8 Catwalk Rock
3.0 Bridge over C-470
3.2 Parking Area
3.3 Zorro Trail
4.3 Saddle
4.5 Dinosaur Ridge High Point (not the summit)
5.4 Cross Highway 26
5.6 Second Dinosaur Ridge high point, begin descent
6.0 Cross road, engage Red Rocks Trail, cross bridge, enter Park
6.1 Take trail to the right, leaving road
6.3 At intersection, turn left
6.7 At Red Rocks Trail sign, cross road into parking lot, take use trail on right
6.8 Follow paved road due southwest
6.9 Go through tunnel
7.1 Engage Monocline Route on Mount Morrison
7.7 7,345 feet, engage Class 2 rock
7.8 Summit
7.9 Cement pad (optional)
8.0 South Ridge Route descent begins
8.5 Top of Amphitheater Route
8.8 Memorial
8.9 Power line
9.8 End
MILES: 9.84
GAIN: 3,349 feet
DROP: 241 feet below starting elevation
Essential GearTake more water than you would usually carry. Good tread on your hiking boots is strongly recommended. Count on the heat during spring, summer or fall, but be prepared for thunderstorms and colder temperatures. Check the weather before hand and be informed. Plan accordingly for a winter outing.
When to ExecuteThe best season to do this hike is early spring or late fall. Winter excursions are also possible. Take appropriate gear and plan accordingly.
A party in good shape can execute this exercise in 6.5 hours. Recommended starting time is 8:00AM at the latest to beat summer heat.
Executing the route in reverse as an evening outing during the summer is a possibility, provided you have good weather during the ascent of Mount Morrison. Be sure to take a light source. Starting at 4:00PM would have you arriving at your car and descending from Green Mountain around 10:30PM.
Images
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Front Range (CO)
