Eagle Cliff Mountain Hike

The Eagle Cliff Mountain Trail is a stunning adventure, but don’t get us wrong, it is no walk in the park. This excursion demands stamina as you ascend Eagle Cliff Mountain without any switchbacks to lessen the intensity. Though challenging, we love this hike as it is only lightly frequented; thus, if you are lucky, you may just have the summit all to yourself! Make sure you are wearing sturdy shoes and consider trekking poles to help navigate the vertigo inducing terrain. Note that hikers are required to purchase a park pass because the trail is technically located in the Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP).

Begin your adventure along the Eagle Cliff Mountain Trail from Pinecone Way. From the parking lot, track southwest along the road and take your first right up Upper Cookout Road which merges into Lower Cookout. Eventually, you will notice a trailhead signposted for the Eagle Cliff Mountain Trail. Take this route and it will guide you across Glacier Creek and the Big Thompson River to an intersection. Here, stay straight and hike up the primitive Eagle Cliff Mountain Trail. Finding the path can be a little tricky, so the trail GPS may be useful.

Hike up the vertiginous terrain through the woodlands. Trek north and you will eventually ascend the ridge and summit Eagle Cliff Mountain. Enjoy the 360-degree, panoramic views of the Front Range region and the Rocky Mountain National Park. The number of snow-dusted peaks that will be in view will astound you. Enjoy the scenery as you catch your breath. After revelling in the mountainous panorama, retrace your steps down the path back to the trailhead.