Adventure Projects is hiring a web engineer to join us in Boulder, CO
Hiking Project Logo

Black Canyon Trail

 3.5 (4)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Front Range
  4. Estes Park
Google Map

Length


8.2 Miles 13.2 Kilometers


3,354' 1,022 m

Ascent

-457' -139 m

Descent

9%

Avg Grade (5°)

29%

Max Grade (16°)

10,998' 3,352 m

High

7,780' 2,371 m

Low

Shared By Brian Smith

Conditions

Unknown
History
Getting forecast...

“A major east-west vein that runs into the park from the Lumpy Ridge Trailhead.”

— Brian Smith
Driving DirectionsGPX File

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Cave · Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek · Swimming · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Description

From its eastern junction with Lumpy Ridge Trail, Black Canyon Trail ascends nearly 4,000 vertical feet over eight miles as it juts northwestward into the park.

The trail starts with a short, gradual descent followed by a nearly continuous ascent over the next six miles. Enjoy the sweeping views of open grasslands and stunning geologic formations as you climb. Black Canyon Trail is punctuated with steeper sections as it passes between various peaks and across saddles.

At its westernmost terminus, Black Canyon Trail intersects the Lawn Lake Trail.

Flora & Fauna

RMNP is a massive park that is mostly characterized by a montane ecosystem. Here are some of the Flora and Fauna that you may encounter along this trail:

Flora: Ponderosa pine, douglas fir, wildflowers, shrubs
Fauna: Elk, mule deer, moose, bighorn sheep, coyotes, black bears, cougars, butterflies.

For more detailed information regarding the park's diverse ecosystems, click HERE.

Contacts

Land Manager: National Park Service - Rocky Mountain National Park

You & This Trail


Rate Quality


   Clear Rating

Rate Difficulty

Share This Trail

Your Check-Ins

Check-Ins

Aug 10, 2018
Kendall Beggs
Moderately steep trail through pine forest and the occasional meadow. Not super picturesque, but a relaxing hike nonetheless.
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  3.5 from 4 votes

#9

in Estes Park

#13324

Overall
  3.5 from 4 votes
5 Star
0%
4 Star
50%
3 Star
50%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Rankings

#9

in Estes Park

#1,275

in Colorado

#13,324

Overall
133 Views Last Month
2,731 Since Jan 8, 2015
Intermediate Intermediate
0%
25%
25%
50%
0%
0%
Add a Photo

Photos

Looking west, northwest toward Mummy Mountain
Looking west, northwest toward Mummy Mountain
 3
Elk near Estes Park CO
Elk near Estes Park CO
 1
Twin Owls, Lumpy Ridge, Rocky Mountain National Park with permission from Richard Ryer
Twin Owls, Lumpy Ridge, Rocky Mountain National…
 2
The craggy side of Mummy
The craggy side of Mummy
 3

0 Comments

Nearby Hikes

Beaver!
0.1 mi 0.2 km
Beaver Boardwalk
 3
Estes Park, CO
Mt. Meeker at Dawn, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado with permission from Richard Ryer
23.2 mi 37.3 km
Longs Peak Valley Loop
 6
Estes Park, CO
Representing the REI NP Centennial backpack at Dream Lake, looking towards Flattop Mountain (right) and Hallett Peak (left).
3.3 mi 5.4 km
Emerald Lake
 195
Estes Park, CO
Evening Fall Colors in Rocky Mountain National Park.
5.8 mi 9.3 km
Bear lake to the Park in…
 1
Estes Park, CO

Nearby Gems

gem

Gem Lake

30
Estes Park, CO
gem

Bighorn Sheep Viewing - Sheep Lakes

7
Estes Park, CO
gem

Chasm Falls and Old Fall River Road

11
Estes Park, CO
gem

West Creek Falls

4
Estes Park, CO

Hiking Project is part of the REI Co-op family,
where a life outdoors is a life well lived.

Shop REI Hiking