Details
Features
About this place
For 360 degree views of Pike National Forest and an interesting perspective of Pike's Peak from the South, this half day hike offers a relatively short but rewarding hike.
To get to the trailhead start on Old Stage Rd. After 11 miles turn right onto Forest Service Rd 379. This is a 4WD road. A small/large SUV, or truck should do the trick, nothing too crazy though. Drive on FS 379 for 1.5 miles until you come to an open field on the right known as Frosty Park. There are no signs but when the road opens up into the field it'll be obvious to park here, where the trail starts through a fence opening to the right.
If you don't have a 4WD vehicle, you can park at the intersection of Old Stage Rd and 379. This will just add 1.5 miles each way to the hike.
Now lets start hiking! Fun fact, this is the same route pioneer Zebulan Pike followed to the summit of Mt. Rosa.
The trail funnels into obvious 4WD tracks as you enter the forest. At 0.4 miles, turn right and head into the thicker forest. The trail will continue climbing 700 ft from here until you reach your second trail junction. Here you'll turn right and head up the side of Mt. Rosa (if you go straight, you'll end up at St. Mary's Falls by a very unknown route. Continue up the side of Mt. Rosa until you reach the summit at 11,533 ft!
Continue down along the same route up to return to the parking area.
Leave No Trace
