Deer Mountain

Deer Mountain is a 10,013-foot summit in Rocky Mountain National Park, surrounded by ponderosa pine. The round trip from Deer Ridge Junction is about 6.1 miles, with roughly 1,200 feet of climbing. Expect a sustained uphill walk and a short, much steeper summit spur with stone steps. This is a half-day hike for a broad summit view, not a quick pullout.

The trail climbs in switchbacks through forest, then opens into country with early views toward Little Horseshoe Park and the Mummy Range. It eases briefly before the final spur. From the top, the panorama reaches across Moraine Park and Estes Park to Longs Peak, Hallett Peak, the Mummy Range and the Continental Divide.

At the summit, keep a piece of the rocky ledge in the foreground so the valley and ridges have a sense of scale. Low cloud can hide the distant peaks, though the forest and meadows along the way still make a worthwhile walk.

Start at Deer Ridge Junction, about three miles west of the Beaver Meadows entrance near the US 34/36 junction. Parking is limited along the roadside, so arriving early is the practical choice. Dogs are not allowed on park trails.

In winter, this lower-starting route usually gets less snow than other summit hikes, but traction devices are recommended, especially beyond the first mile. Snowshoes are generally unnecessary.

Deer Ridge Junction once held Deer Ridge Chalet, a roadside resort that operated from 1917 to 1960. Its buildings included a lodge, cabins, restaurant, filling station and a 50-foot observation tower; a ski run descended toward Little Horseshoe Park. The park acquired the property in 1960 and removed the structures the following year.