Crags View

Easy find with great views. The cache is a small plastic container with log, pencil, and some swag, suitable for kids and beginners. Happy hunting and view-admiring!

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11/2017 This area was severely damaged in the floods of 9/2013. Repair of the road and infrastructure is nearing completion but there is still some ongoing activity. Parking is next to the cache, but it is also used by workers and road equipment; use stealth and common sense if they are present. See the picture of road damage from 9/13, and be impressed at the extent of damage and repairs!

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While you are here, take a look around. Visitors to the Estes Park area often fixate on the most spectacular mountains and views, such as Longs Peak, and don't notice much else. This cache is located in the midst of some lesser-known scenic landmarks. Should you desire some moderate-to-strenuous hiking to further great views while you are in the area, these are excellent options.

At 78º true the high point is Kruger Rock, relatively unobtrusive from here along the ridge, but with long and wide views of the area, including Rocky Mountain National Park, from the top. Its trail is roughly 2 miles one-way, with the trailhead accessible from Hermit Park, a Larimer County Park that used to be a corporate retreat. Hermit Park's road entrance is located at milepost 4 on Highway 36 southeast of Estes Park, and is a fee area separate from the National Park.

At 175º true is The Crags, a looming rocky outcropping along the flank of Twin Sisters. The Crags does not have a trail directly to the top, and is not often climbed. Most visitors climb Twin Sisters instead of The Crags; the Twin Sisters trailhead is south on Highway 7, near Lily Lake. The summits of Twin Sisters are 3.4 miles one-way, and are not visible from the cache location, but are behind The Crags. From the top of Twin Sisters, well above treeline, there is a tremendous, straight-on view of Longs Peak as well as out to the Plains. A huge landslide in 9/13 wiped out several switchbacks and caused major trail damage; currently social trails have replaced the old connections and the trail is open, but be very careful.

At 235º true is Lily Mountain, a smaller mountain that is strategically placed. The trail begins south along Highway 7, and is popular with doggie hikers because the trail is not in the National Park. It is about 2 miles one-way, with a very short rock scramble at the top, and a hugely rewarding view into Rocky Mountain National Park and the Continental Divide. There was some flood damage with a slide across the trail, but it is open for use. Just be careful when crossing damaged trail.

If you walk or drive south along the gravel road here, it will soon turn left to the entrance of Camp Cheley, a private local institution of many years. At the bend in the road, you will find the Homer Rouse trail. It goes uphill mostly along some old roadbed, eventually meeting Highway 7 at Lily Lake. There are not a lot of long views from this trail, but it is a pleasant walk and nice for geopups.