Short hike to top of...?

[BetzCO]

Hello all,

I have a somewhat odd question for you. A family member who recently lost her dad is coming to visit me in the Boulder area this weekend. She has mentioned her desire to "hike to the top of a mountain" to spread some of her dad's ashes. She has never been at altitude and while she physically appears to be in decent shape, I don't believe she regularly exercises.

We're currently planning to head to RMNP and drive trail ridge road one day and Idaho Springs area the second day. Any suggestions for a shortish (1-2 mile?) hike that would allow her to feel a sense of accomplishment for reaching the summit? The last thing I want is to pick a hike that will be too hard for her and her have to quit.

Note, I'm not suggesting this needs to be a 14er, just something that feels like reaching the top.

Thanks so much for any suggestions.

[Scott P]

There are a lot of easy summits just of Trail Ridge. Some of them are Tombstone Ridge, Sundance Mountain, Trail Ridge Peak, and Fall River Mountain.

[highpilgrim]

I took a friend of mine who had never climbed or even hiked much up Estes Cone in RMNP. There is a little scrambly part at the end but she managed it and certainly felt like she accomplished something...she still talks about it years later. The view from the top of Longs is incredible as well and there are some interesting mine ruins along the way as I recall.

If you're really looking for easy, you could go up to Loveland Pass and do Sniktau, Cupid and Grizzly. All or one. Grizzly is more work but the first two are just high altitude walks.

[rperth]

Chief Mountain. Not far from Idaho Springs. 1.5 miles one way. 1000ft elevation gain. Takes you to 11,700 ft. Awesome views. Easy TH access.