Trip
Hiking – Mount Herman
This "low elevation" 10-mile loop south of Palmer Lake goes over Raspberry Mtn and 9,063' Mt Herman. Total elevation gain/loss is a little over 2,600'. You should already be comfortable with the pace and distance based on your hikes this spring.
Contacts
- Sat, May 23, 2026
- Bobcats Section
- Hiking
- Adults
- Challenging
- Mileage: 10.0 mi
- Elevation Gain: 2,640 ft
- High Point Elevation: 9,049 ft
- Pace: 2.75 mph (sustainable all-day moving speed, not including breaks, on trail that rises less than 400' per mile) and a climbing pace of at least 1,200 feet per hour.
- 6 (7 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
This is intended to be a Challenging hike but not a sufferfest, at a pace for experienced hikers. Please consider before registering the moving speed (pace), climbing rate, distance, total vertical gain, and the notes in this section.
The trail is mostly forested for for the first 7 miles. The last 3 miles we'll be walking primarily through sage. Trail condition is rocky and sandy, and quite steep in sections (up to 35%). The last section may seem anti-climatic compared to the earlier sections.
The climb from Raspberry Mtn to Mt Herman will get your attention: the trail climbs 500' in about 1/3 of a mile. Although there is no exposure or significant risk of rockfall (alway be aware), the trail is loose and footing can be difficult. This is a very challenging section!
We likely will stop for lunch around 11:00 to 11:30 depending on conditions and hiking speed. Anticipated return to the trailhead is around 2:00.
Useful Links:
Our route in CalTopo, with ability to export GPX track to your own device. Click the line to view the route profile.
Weather forecast for Mt Herman at Weather.gov
Meet for Carpool:
Cabela’ s Parking Lot at 10670 Cabela Drive, Lone Tree, CO 80124. Park in the Northwest section, not in front of the store. Arrive by 7:15 AM for departure by 7:30 AM
Meet at Trailhead - INFORM LEADER IF YOU ARE SELF DRIVING TO TH:
Red Rocks Road Trailhead at 17921 Red Rocks Dr, Monument, CO 80921. Arrive by 8:15 AM. Limited cell service.
DIrections to Trailhead: From Denver take I-25 South to County Line Rd (aka West Palmer Divide Rd), Exit 163. Right (West) 2.5 miles to Spruce Mountain Rd. Left (South) 1.8 miles to Red Rock Ranch Rd. Right (South) 1.1 miles to Spruce Rd. Right (West) 0.3 miles to Sandstone Dr. Left (South) 0.4 miles to Red Rocks Dr. Left (South) about 0.7 miles, Trailhead parking on Left.
Required Equipment
Bring your 10 Essentials! Also, we likely will encounter a stream just before Mile 6 if you choose to bring a water filter (very high probability of seasonal water based on current conditions, but not 100% assured).