Leader in Training (LIT) Trip – Raspberry - Mount Herman - Limbaugh loop

We’ll be getting an early start to beat the heat since our route will include quite a bit of sun exposure.

We'll be hiking the East face of Mount Herman which includes a significant elevation gain within the first mile. The steepness of this first mile may require scrambling skills (using hands and feet to make forward progress) or the use of hiking poles.

From the Red Rocks Rd Trailhead Parking Lot we'll cross the street and begin hiking up the Windsock trailhead. We'll hike west and climb about 1,100 feet in the first mile. When we reach the saddle between Mount Herman and Raspberry Mountain, we will take the spur trail to the summit of Mt Herman. This will be a good spot to snack/lunch and catch our breath while we take in the views. We’ll then return to the saddle and continue west on the Mule Trail to a great overlook into Limbaugh Canyon. We will then backtrack a bit and take the Mule Trail to the summit of Raspberry Mountain and then down into Limbaugh Canyon, and around Inspiration Point. We will then get onto the HZ Trail, the White Ghost Trail, and Trail 715A to return to the Red Rocks Rd Trailhead Parking Lot.

Carpool Place & Time: Meet at Woodmen Park N Ride, 6816 Corporate Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80919 6:20AM for a 6:30AM departure.  (Woodmen Rd Park N Ride - Google Maps)

We'll carpool to the Red Rocks Rd Trailhead parking lot with a 7:00 am ETA (Red Rocks Rd Trailhead Parking - Google Maps).

If you prefer to meet us at the Red Rocks Rd Trailhead parking lot, please plan to arrive by 7:00 am (Red Rocks Rd Trailhead Parking - Google Maps).