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Black Canyon Trail

 3.5 (2)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Front Range
  4. Estes Park
Trail Mapped Wrong?
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Length

7.9 Miles 12.6 Kilometers


Elevation

3,673' 1,120 m

Ascent

-780' -238 m

Descent

11%

Avg Grade (6°)

36%

Max Grade (20°)

11,064' 3,372 m

High

7,776' 2,370 m

Low

Conditions

Unknown
History
Getting forecast...

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

— Brian Smith
GPX File — Driving Directions

Overview

Features: Birding — Cave — Fall Colors — Lake — River/Creek — Swimming — Views — Waterfall — Wildflowers — Wildlife [Add/Remove]
Dogs: No Dogs

Description [Suggest Changes]

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 [Suggest Changes]

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

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Trail Ratings

  3.5 from 2 votes

#10

in Estes Park

#12353

Overall
  3.5 from 2 votes
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Rankings

#10

in Estes Park

#1,187

in Colorado

#12,353

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2,374 Since Jan 8, 2015
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Photos

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

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