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Estes Cone

May 26, 2001
Rocky Mountain National Park
Starting Elevation:
9,400 feet
Highest Elevation:
11,006 feet
Distance (round trip):
6 miles
click on each photo to view a larger image
It's still considered early season for peak-bagging on the highest mountains here in Colorado, therefore upon receiving an invitation from Mike Molloy of Mike's Hikes to join him for a trip to Estes Cone I rearranged my schedule so I could join him for this Friday hike. While Estes Cone is a relatively easy hike, I certainly enjoyed this opportunity to get my legs working again for the upcoming hiking season.

The trailhead for Estes Cone begins at the Long's Peak Ranger Station near the southeast corner of the park just off of Highway 7.
Estes Cone from the Long's Peak Ranger Station.
Estes Cone from the Long's Peak Ranger Station.
Remnants of the Eugenia Mine about 1.3 miles into the hike (9,908 feet).
Remnants of the Eugenia Mine about 1.3 miles into the hike (9,908 feet).
If you look closely you can see an old rusty boiler back near the trees.
If you look closely you can see an old rusty boiler back near the trees.
There was a great view of Long's Peak about 2 miles into the hike (~10,000 feet) - unfortunately it doesn't show too well in this photo.
There was a great view of Long's Peak about 2 miles into the hike (~10,000 feet) - unfortunately it doesn't show too well in this photo.
Check out the size of this cairn where you need to turn right to head up to Estes Cone (to the left is Storm Pass) about 2.5 miles into the hike (10,200 feet).
Check out the size of this cairn where you need to turn right to head up to Estes Cone (to the left is Storm Pass) about 2.5 miles into the hike (10,200 feet).
The trail gets a lot steeper here.  It may not look like it but the camera was held parallel to the horizon when taking this photo.
The trail gets a lot steeper here. It may not look like it but the camera was held parallel to the horizon when taking this photo.
There's the summit of Estes Cone.  We're almost there!
There's the summit of Estes Cone. We're almost there!
Mike on the summit admiring the view of the Twin Sisters with Long's Peak in the background.
Mike on the summit admiring the view of the Twin Sisters with Long's Peak in the background.
Twin Sisters Peaks - 11,413 and 11,428 feet - as seen from the top of Estes Cone.
Twin Sisters Peaks - 11,413 and 11,428 feet - as seen from the top of Estes Cone.
Long's Peak in all its glory - 14,251 feet - 3.7 miles away where we were on the top of Estes Cone.
Long's Peak in all its glory - 14,251 feet - 3.7 miles away where we were on the top of Estes Cone.
Steve on the summit admiring the view of the Twin Sisters with Long's Peak in the background.
Steve on the summit admiring the view of the Twin Sisters with Long's Peak in the background.
It was so windy on top, even an experienced hiker like Mike had to chase after a baggy which flew out of his pack while on the summit.
It was so windy on top, even an experienced hiker like Mike had to chase after a baggy which flew out of his pack while on the summit.
Again from the summit, looking northwest(?) back towards ??? peaks in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Again from the summit, looking northwest(?) back towards ??? peaks in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Again from the summit, looking to the north you can see Chapin, Chiquita, Ypsilon, Fairchild, Hagues, and Mummy mountains.
Again from the summit, looking to the north you can see Chapin, Chiquita, Ypsilon, Fairchild, Hagues, and Mummy mountains.
Bushwhacking our way back down.
Bushwhacking our way back down.
The trail is over to our right - I know it is!
The trail is over to our right - I know it is!
We stopped near this beautiful view to enjoy the moment on the mountain.
We stopped near this beautiful view to enjoy the moment on the mountain.
Mike and Steve hamming it up for the camera with Long's Peak in the background.
Mike and Steve hamming it up for the camera with Long's Peak in the background.
Along on this hike with me: Mike from Mike's Hikes.