Overview
This route is very short with minimal elevation gain and requires only a small amount of easy off-trail navigation. The route follows a short, rugged dirt road near the base of UN 9620. A brief off-trail hike through timber is topped off by a pleasant scramble over and around large boulders and slabs of Pikes Peak Granite.
Roundtrip Mileage: Less than 1 mile
Elevation Gain: 125 feet
Getting There
From with Garden of the Gods Park
In dry conditions, high clearance is recommended for this dirt road, but a passenger car with be sufficient. In wet or snowy conditions, do not attempt Rampart Range Road without 4-wheel-drive and good tires.
Rampart Range Road driving conditions 04 Apr 2009 | - Locate the dirt Rampart Range Road and turn west.
- Follow Rampart Range Road for roughly 12 miles.
- Keep an eye out for the Ridge Crest Overlook (on the west side of the road).
- Very soon after passing the Overlook, FS Q300 will appear on the right (east side of the road).
- Pull into FS Q300 and park.
| Rampart Range Road is narrow and wash-boarded with heavy traffic 04 Apr 2009 |
Route Description
UN 9620 via FS 300Q
- Begin heading northeast on FS 300Q.
- UN 9620 will come into view eventually as a granite outcropping to the northeast.
- Follow the road until it begins heading downhill, then leave the road and begin heading up through the trees and rocks.
- After some initial easy scrambling around and over granite boulders, you will reach a relatively level area with a rustic campsite.
- At this point the summit will loom almost directly to the north.
- Climb your way up some grippy granite slabs and look for the weakness to gain the final summit boulders.
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Essential Gear
- Trail map (Trails Illustrated #137 (Pikes Peak, CaƱon City) would meet most needs)
- Compass
- Trekking pole(s)
- Sturdy hiking boots with grippy soles and stiff ankle support
- Snowshoes after a heavy snowfall
- Water and snacks
- A camera to save memories of the high country views
- First aid kit
- Other standard backcountry essentials