Palisade Mountain Hike

Short but sweet, the Palisade Mountain Trail is one of our favorites. Hike up the isolated trail and enjoy expansive views of the mountainous horizon and the forested valleys below. If you are seeking a challenge that won’t take up the whole day, consider the Palisade Mountain Hike. This steep trail is fairly primitive, marked only by rock cairns at the summit. We suggest having the trail GPS handy in case you find yourself off course. Additionally, you will have to do some scrambling up to the summit. Ensure you are prepared to climb and note that even older children may have difficulty navigating the rocky cliff. The steep climb and high altitude will tire you, so make sure to pack plenty of water to refuel!

When you are ready to roll, depart from Palisade Mountain Trailhead and Parking Lot. The trail begins at the forest service gate off the car park. Hike along the Powerline Road through a grassy meadow while keeping your eyes peeled for grazing deer. Track up the path through the grasslands and the trail will eventually guide you beneath tree coverage. Hike amongst the towering trees and enjoy the increasingly scenic views peeping through the foliage. Ascend the woodland path and it will become more primitive and harder to follow. At this point you will want to closely follow the cairns up to the summit. The route will become rockier as you climb, and you will have to navigate two granite canyons.

Climb up the canyons and scramble up the boulder cliff to the summit. From the peak of Palisade Mountain you will enjoy panoramic vistas of the Continental Divide and its mesmerizing ridges. The mountain top is rocky so mind your footing to avoid rolling an ankle. Explore the summit and revel in the breathtaking views of the Continental Divide before beginning your descent. To get back to the trailhead, simply retrace your steps down the trail.