15 replies to this topic

[Monica]

On our first full day in the park we decided to Hike Deer Mountain. As I said in my Lily Mountain report, Deer and Lily were never high on our priorities, but with limited time and abilities this year they were priorities this time around. What a treat they were!
This was our view from our parking spot in the road. Another glorious day RMNP.


I don't know what it is about trail signs, but since being on this forum we've seen that other people take them so we do, too. One benefit is that is that if we forget what time we started a hike I can check our pictures.


The trail.


From the trail. What views!





Almost there.


This was a nice little intersection.



To be continued...

Edited by Monica, 25 August 2011 - 01:28 PM.

[Monica]

Ahh, the Summit! We loved it! It seemed like it was a huge, beautiful panaramic view from Longs all the way around to CCY and Fairchild.



Rick decided to take a nap. He really did fall asleep.





Chaquita and Ypsilon Mountains. We stayed at the top quite a while just taking it all in.


On the way down.

Edited by Monica, 25 August 2011 - 03:40 PM.

[DeeCeeM]

I love the views from there. Thanks for sharing.

[John]

Twinebender's Fat Head's Cap has great blocking skills!

[DrCloud]

One of these days, we're going to go up Deer Mountain and stand on the actual summit.

The first "top", before the down and back up to the actual summit, always has distracted us. It's easy to turn left off the trail and get up to the ridge to look around. And at that point it's even easier to say "well, this is good enough for today."

Maybe this winter. On showshoes. In the wind and cold. Right. You bet'cha. HPH

[Allie]

With Melanie's bad hip, think we could do this hike, Monica? I really want to do it, but don't want to leave her sitting in the car. The views from there are so beautiful.

[HighPlainsMedic]

Now that is a nice set of pictures.. 'bein a sign picture taker myself' .. The views are fantastic up high.. I can't wait to get above timberline again.

[Ronndr]

Deer Mt has never been high on my priority list either, but you may have changed my mind. Views stupendous!

[Rhonda]

I've never done this hike either, but the views are so pretty. I want to do it someday.

[Monica]

Allie, on 25 August 2011 - 06:39 PM, said:

With Melanie's bad hip, think we could do this hike, Monica? I really want to do it, but don't want to leave her sitting in the car. The views from there are so beautiful.

I think you could, Allie. There's no scramble at the top like Lily Mountain had. Also, you could really take your time and enjoy the views. It's 6.2 miles (round trip), elevation gain of 1,093.

[mistylady]

I never bothered with Deer Mountain until last September. It is a very busy trail. Always appeared crowded. But, very few people were there during the middle of the week in September. It was a great hike! We were even greeted by a very handsome mule deer as we began the hike.



And at the top - a ground squirrel was there to greet us! Could be because we ate lunch at the top and he thought we might share.



The views are amazing. I'm so glad we did it.
Your pictures are wonderful, Monica.

[Monica]

mistylady, on 26 August 2011 - 04:53 AM, said:

I never bothered with Deer Mountain until last September. It is a very busy trail. Always appeared crowded. But, very few people were there during the middle of the week in September. It was a great hike! We were even greeted by a very handsome mule deer as we began the hike.

That's great, Teri. We didn't see any wildlife. The trail wasn't too crowded. Maybe we were early enough in the day.

[B-Jay]

Thanks so much for posting this report, Monica. I've only climbed Deer Mountain once, but after your pictures jogged my memory, I'm wanting to go again. Although the Deer Mountain hike is longer than the Lily Mountain climb, I think Deer Mountain is easier because, as you mentioned, there is no steep scramble at the end. I was quite surprised when I got to the intersection pointing the way to the summit and saw it was just a gentle climb up to the top.

I think Melanie would be fine on this hike, especially if she is using trekking poles. The poles really help with balance and take the pressure off sore joints. Also you can't help but stop often to take pictures of the views!

B-Jay

[hector]

The third picture gave me a real pang of heartbreak... for a second I thought I could smell the pines. It is really getting to me that we won't be out there this summer or fall.

Deer is on my list. Wow, what a gorgeous view!

[Scrapinator]

I need to do Deer Mountain again. Thanks for all the pics. Brings back memories of hiking there.

A funny story from that trail -- my brother, sister-in-law and I did Deer Mountain one year. Kat needed to step off the trail to -- well, pee. So she headed off the trail and my brother and I continued on up the trail. Well, we went around a switchback and there was Kat. She hadn't noticed that she had gone off the trail and right to the top of the switchback. I'm sure she was glad it was family that came up the trail rather than strangers