If you are looking for a short hike in the Estes Park area with spectacular 360° views, Kruger Rock Trail is your hike!
I absolutely loved this trail. It’s only 4.4 miles round-trip, with an elevation gain of 940 feet. For our third family hike of the season, it was a good moderate trail.
From the parking lot at the pavilion in Hermit Park, the 9,355 foot summit of Kruger Rock doesn’t look so impressive. (Just wait!)
At the trailhead.
We started around 8am, with the morning sun at our backs and a cool breeze on our faces. The trail led us gradually up an open hillside with scattered aspen, pinon and mountain iris. We took our time, stopping to examine the flora that caught our eye.
Near 8,800 feet, the trail crests a saddle and the first views of Estes Park and the Mummy Range comes into view. We paused to take some pictures and scan the town below, Lumpy Ridge, and the snow-capped peaks.
Views of Estes Park, Lumpy Ridge and the Mummy Range.
Lake Estes
The trail then turns SW for a short descent, and then climbs through forest with intermittent views of high peaks.
Standing deadwood.
We passed an area of standing deadwood. Possibly a small fire years ago?
As the trail grew steeper with a short set of switchbacks, I paused a few times to catch my breath and admire the purple Pasqueflower and Harebells.
Harebells
Near the summit we were rewarded with a stunning overlook – the Estes Park Valley and the Longs Peak/Mount Meeker massif. We stopped to take in the Continental Divide peaks in the distance. I noted Flattop, which I hiked in 2014 as part of an ‘up and over” hike from Bear Lake to Grand Lake with my Dad. Flanking it to the left is Hallet Peak and Otis, two peaks on my list to bag.
From here it was only a short climb to the end of the trail at the base of the rocky crown of Kruger Rock.
We made the short scramble up the narrow gully in the summit block to the relatively flat summit.
Class III rock scramble to the top – fairly easy to negotiate.
Descending the rock scramble near the top.
The 360 views were just gorgeous.
Views East
Brogan and Sophie
Notes:
This is a dry hike, so if you have your dog along make sure and bring some water for him/her.
Start early, as this is a popular trail and it gets crowded as the morning wears on.
There is a $6 fee per vehicle (at the time of this writing.)