Overview: While Eagle Rock is only 9,677 feet in elevation, it rises over 500' above the surrounding terrain and offers great views of the Retirement Range area. The Retirement Range is comprised of four groups of mountains: The Platte River Mountains, the Kenosha Mountains, the Tarryall Mountains and the Puma Hills. Eagle Rock is in the northwest area of the Puma Hills and is located in Pike National Forest just west of Tarryall Creek and the Lost Creek Wilderness.

Recommended map: Trails Illustrated Map #105 – Tarryall Mts. / Kenosha Pass

Trailhead Directions:

FROM THE NORTH (DENVER):

Head west on US 285 passing over Kenosha Pass. Just over 4 miles west of the Pass turn south (left) on Park County 77 in the small community of Jefferson. Continue south on 77 until you come to the Tarryall Reservoir. Just south of the reservoir, turn right onto Forest Service Road (FSR) 23.

FROM THE SOUTH (COLORADO SPRINGS):

Head west on US 24 to the small community of Lake George. Shortly after crossing a young South Platte River, turn north (right) on Park County 77. Continue north on 77 until you come to the Tarryall Reservoir. Just south of the reservoir, turn left onto Forest Service Road (FSR) 23.

Once you are on FSR 23, you'll discover that it is passable to most vehicles, however, there are a few places where a high clearance vehicle makes for easier passage. After a few miles you will veer right onto FSR 146. Follow FSR 146 pass the south side of Eagle Rock. You will come to a ninety degree turn with a left turn that will leave Pike National Forest. This is the trailhead for the north ridge route. Continue straight for about a half mile to a faint road on the right that appears to head around Eagle Rock. Turn right and park here. This is the trailhead for the southwest ridge route.

RT Mileage, Elevation Gain, Difficulty Rating: Southwest ridge route - 1 mile RT, 500 feet elevation gain, Class 2. North ridge route - 1+ mile RT, 700 feet elevation gain, Class 2+.

Other References: See Gerry and Jennifer Roach's Colorado's Lost Creek Wilderness - Classic Summit Hikes (2001). There also is an excellent write up here on Summit Post.

Southwest Ridge route description: Because Eagle Rock is not often climbed, there is no established trail. This should be considered one of the best benefits of the climb/hike. A front range rarity of no crowds to deal with and an opportunity to hone route finding skills. Our strategy from the trailhead was to follow the contour of the slope and gradually work our way up the easy to navigate grassy slope. We soon hit a small ridge or saddle and were able to see the remaining work ahead.

We had little difficulty finding openings to use on the ascent. The key was staying to climber's left. Veering off to climber's right exposed us to steeper, more difficult terrain and the danger of cliffing out. The summit was gained in short order.

The summit is fairly small and the four of us pretty much occupied the entire summit block.

While the RT mileage and elevation gain are pretty modest, this proved to be a delightful climb/hike. A good choice for those who want to escape the crowds, enjoy something that is not physically strenuous or taxing, take in phenomenal 360 summit views, and imagine what climbing/hiking 14ers was like before there were established trails.