Estes Cone via Lily Lake

At the south end of the lot, follow the old park road and the Storm Pass signs. Around 0.15–0.2 mile in, a path branches toward Lily Lake’s lakeshore and picnic area; stay on the Storm Pass route. The approach crosses Aspen Brook on a footbridge, then traverses a hillside where rocky openings give an early view toward Lily Mountain and the valley. Farther on, the route is mostly forested as it climbs gradually toward Storm Pass.

At roughly 3.1 miles from the lot, turn right at the Estes Cone Trail junction. Storm Pass continues toward Bear Lake Road, while the Eugenia Mine Trail joins from the other direction; neither is part of this Lily Lake out-and-back. Return to the lot the same way. The higher 8.1- and 8.4-mile descriptions include a Lily Ridge or lakeshore loop. The 7.5-mile figure here is the direct Storm Pass route, without that extra circuit.

The Estes Cone branch is shorter but much steeper than the Storm Pass approach. The tread turns rocky and becomes faint in places; cairns and boot paths help pick out the line. Near the ridge, expect a rocky gully and a Class 2 scramble to reach the summit rocks. This is the section that changes the hike from a long walk into a demanding mountain outing. If you are uncomfortable with bouldery, sometimes exposed footing, turn around before committing to the summit moves.

The summit is a small, irregular perch among broken granite blocks, not a broad flat lookout. Views open across Lily Lake and Lily Mountain to the Twin Sisters, Mount Meeker and Longs Peak; the Continental Divide and Mummy Range fill other parts of the horizon. A photo with the rough summit rocks in the foreground gives the view a useful sense of scale. The route’s early openings toward Lily Mountain are a smaller preview of the panorama above.

Estes Cone is not a volcanic remnant. Its isolated, cone-like profile reflects natural erosion and its separation from neighboring mountains. That shape is easiest to appreciate from the approach and from nearby peaks; at the top, the broken blocks underfoot make the summit itself feel more rugged than its name suggests.

Use the small Lily Lake lot beside the trail or the larger dirt lot across US 7. The access area has two single-user vault toilets; drinking water was not found, and there is no food service on the route. The Lily Lake area also has picnic tables near the lakeshore, but they are separate from the climb. A Rocky Mountain National Park entrance fee or pass is required; timed-entry reservations can apply during summer peak hours, so check the park’s entry requirements before driving in. Pets are prohibited on all park trails.

At more than 11,000 feet, this is a strenuous outing even though the first miles climb gradually. The summit section is rocky and route-finding matters, and summer afternoon thunderstorms are a reason to avoid lingering on exposed high ground. Start with enough time to complete the descent before storms build; the return retraces the same climb and rough summit approach.