Raspberry Mountain Trail Via Ring the Peak Trail

The hike to the top of Raspberry Mountain is a pleasant six mile jaunt (round trip) through the Pike National Forest. The trail is wide and smooth, most of it shaded by tall dark Colorado Spruce. Sentinel Point and the northernmost of the Sibling Spires are visible occasionally about four miles to the south, whetting your appetite for the "Big View" available at the summit, when the Crags, Pike's Peak and the Catamount Reservoirs spread across the horizon's southeastern quadrant. Early morning trekkers will have the best light for views to the north and west as well (and will be less likely to get short changed by storms in the summer). The hike begins with short, steep switchbacks. Then, it levels out through a meadow and gentle forest floors. Eventually, you'll turn right on the forest road after crossing a creek. After a short uphill walk, you will turn left, leaving the Ring the Peak trail. From here, it is a relatively intense and mostly uphill climb to the top. Definitely make sure you come prepared on this hike and check the weather forecast before heading out.