Rocky Mountain National Park's Emerald Mountain Trail

Emerald Mountain Trail

Description:
The Emerald Mountain Trail begins at the East Portal Trailhead at an elevation of 8,275 feet. It intersects the Glacier Creek Trail at an elevation of 8,676 feet. This trail sees low usage.

The trail climbs across the sagebrush-covered ridge to the west of the trailhead. You get a great view of the gauging station at the east end of the Alva B. Adams tunnel from this vantage point. This tunnel takes water from the Colorado River Basin under the Continental Divide to the eastern plains. At the end of the sagebrush area, the trail passes through some stands of young aspens. You get a good view of the rocky summit of Emerald Mountain as the trail travels beneath it. Here the trail is smooth and sandy. After climbing a ridge, it descends to the Glacier Creek Trail. At less than a mile in length, this trail is easy to moderate in difficulty.

Features:

Length:	.9 miles (1.45 kilometers)
Elevation Range:	8,272' -8,709'
Elevation change:	519 feet
Season:	May 15 - Nov 1
Difficulty:	Easy to moderate
Use:	Low
USGS maps:	Longs Peak
Trailheads:	East Portal
Restrictions:	No pets are permitted
Suitable for mountain bikes:	No (not permitted)
Suitable for horses:	Yes

Vicinity Map

Altitude Profile

Directions:
The nearest trailhead to the Emerald Mountain Trail is the East Portal Trailhead. Take Highway 36 to Highway 66 and 698 toward the YMCA. Travel past the YMCA to the end of the road (about 2.2 miles). Park on the dam near the Adams Tunnel gaging station. There is room for 20 to 25 vehicles. A small holding pond lies below the gaging station. Hike along the road across the dam to a fence. The trail begins on the other side of the fence to the west.

Order Rocky Mountain Trails CD

Return to Rocky Mountain National Park Trails