Colorado, Hiking, National Forests, Roosevelt National Forest, United States

Colorado Hiked: Kruger Rock via Limber Pine Trail

The Adventuring Heidi

An opportunity for 360-degree views without having to climbing up above 10,000 feet or enter into Rocky Mountain National Park?! Sign me up!

Hiking to Kruger Rock has been on my radar for awhile now after seeing photos of friends summiting with the gorgeous views in the background. While most accomplish the hike in under 4 miles, I opted to take the Limber Pine Trail which would stretch my adventure over 8 miles and give me a good 1700 feet of elevation gain… just what I needed!

A dirt road leading to a wooden entrance sign with the word 'GATE,' flanked by grassy fields and a wooded hill in the background under a clear blue sky.
Entrance to Hermit Park Open Space, south of Estes Park on U.S. Hwy 36

After paying my entrance fee (finally a Larimer County pay station that worked smoothly for me…), I made my way up the steep, switchbacked road to the Saddle Trailhead. It was completely empty at 9:40am on this October Friday morning, so I had my pick of spots before checking out the very clean vault toilets.

Information signs at the Saddle Trailhead, with scenic trees in the background.
Obligatory trailhead sign at Saddle Trailhead, and start of the Limber Pine Trail
A shadow of a person on a sandy trail surrounded by vegetation.
I liked this photo, what can I say?

While the trail is all uphill to Kruger Rock, the first several miles are easy cruising and I found my mind wandering far away from the task at hand. Occasionally views towards the Continental Divide brought me back to reality, but otherwise it was a lot of rocks and trees and my lonesome dreams as I made the miles.

A scenic hiking trail winding through trees and large boulders, with a clear blue sky overhead and distant mountain peaks visible in the background.
Longs Peak and Mount Meeker peeping through as I begin Limber Pine Trail
Close-up of a flowering plant with yellow blooms against a blurred background of trees and mountains.
Common Mullein (Verbascum thapsus), also known as “cowboy toilet paper” occasionally. This is an imported species to North America, and likes bare and disturbed soil.
A rocky hiking trail with trees and a clear blue sky in the background, showcasing nature on a sunny day.
Crossing a rock slab on Limber Pine Trail
Trailhead sign for Limber Pine Trail surrounded by conifer trees and clear blue sky.
A view of a wooded area with tall pine trees and open ground, featuring a picnic table and a metal trash can in the background.
Just shy of a half-mile from the start the trail converges with Hermit’s Hollow Campground. Signs help point the way.
A scenic view of a hiking trail surrounded by tall pine trees, with mountains visible in the background under a clear blue sky.
Getting a peek of the Continental Divide through the trees
A scenic view from a hiking trail featuring lush pine forests, rolling hills, and distant mountain peaks under a clear blue sky.
Today’s objective, Kruger Rock, is seen just right of the middle of the photo. The taller peaks in the background include Twin Sisters Peaks.

At 2.6 miles I reached the junction with Kruger Rock Trail, and turned right. Aside from a pair on mountain bikes, I had not seen any other people. This would change on the Kruger Rock Trail, though I’d hardly say the trail was crowded (I imagine a weekend, or summer, would be an entirely different story). The bulk of the elevation gain also starts on Kruger Rock Trail, with several super steep portions.

Trail entrance sign for Kruger Rock surrounded by trees and rocky terrain.
Trail sign indicating that hiking is the only activity allowed on Kruger Rock Trail, with no bikes or horses permitted, surrounded by trees and a dirt path.
Reaching the junction with Kruger Rock Trail
A panoramic view from Kruger Rock showcasing the foothills and town of Estes Park, with mountains in the background under a clear blue sky.
Great view over Estes Park! The chilly windy began hitting me full blast, so I stopped to put on my hardshell jacket while enjoying this view.
A panoramic mountain view showcasing various peaks labeled with their names and elevations, with a clear blue sky and a forested landscape in the foreground.
PeakFinder helping me know what I am looking at.
A winding dirt trail surrounded by tall trees with distant mountains visible under a clear blue sky.
The last bit of the climb winds through an exposed burned area. Longs Peak and Mount Meeker are in full view.

Reaching the summit of Kruger Rock at 9,338 feet involved a very short scramble through a granite rock cut. I found it easy enough at 5’10” tall, but those shorter may have bit longer reaches. The wind was howling, and I carefully walked along the exposed ridges for some photos before hunkering down out of the wind to have a snack.

Narrow rock passage between large granite boulders with a clear blue sky above.
The last little scramble to reach the summit
A panoramic view from the summit of Kruger Rock, showcasing sprawling green valleys, distant mountain ranges, and a clear blue sky.
Expansive views from the top of Kruger Rock!
A panoramic view of a mountainous landscape with snow-capped peaks and lush green trees below under a clear blue sky.
Panoramic view of rocky mountains and green valleys under a blue sky with clouds.
Moody day with clouds over the Continental Divide
A person wearing an orange jacket and sunglasses poses for a selfie on top of a rocky outcrop, with a panoramic mountain view in the background.
Kruger Rock summit photo.
Close-up of textured granite rocks with natural depressions, overlooking a mountainous landscape under a clear blue sky.
Erosion looking like eyes in this rock
View from the summit of Kruger Rock, featuring rocky terrain, a small tree, and a panoramic backdrop of mountains under a bright blue sky.
Panoramic view of the Rocky Mountains under a clear blue sky, showcasing rugged peaks and valleys in the foreground.
Views from the snack spot
A panoramic view from the summit of Kruger Rock, featuring labeled peaks such as Lookout Mountain, Triangle Mountain, Crosier Mountain, Mount Pisgah, Spruce Mountain, Horsetooth Mountain, and Palisade Mountain, set against a clear blue sky.
Looking at peaks I’ve climbed, and have yet to climb, to the north
Panoramic view from Kruger Rock showing multiple mountain peaks labeled with their elevations, including Pierson Mountain, Thorodin Mountain, Windy Peak, House Rock, and Twin Sisters Peaks.
Looking to the south
A panoramic view from the summit of Kruger Rock, displaying labeled mountain peaks in the distance with their elevations.
A panoramic view from the summit of Kruger Rock, showcasing labeled nearby mountain peaks and their elevations under a clear blue sky.
Looking to the west
A panoramic view of mountains and rocky outcrops under a clear blue sky, showcasing the rugged terrain and natural beauty of the area.
One last look at Longs Peak, one of my favorite mountain muses

After a snack, more photos, and chatting with a group from Missouri, I headed down to the return to the car on the same route, finishing out this out-and-back hike. I don’t always mind out-and-backs, as it provides different scenery on the way back. Once again, my mind wandered and I took to just walking fairly quickly.

A narrow rock passage leading between two large granite formations, showcasing a clear blue sky and distant mountains, highlighting the scenic beauty of the surrounding landscape.
Down the rock cut scramble
A close-up view of the forest floor covered with brown pine cones and scattered fallen leaves, including some with vibrant red and orange hues.
I missed the peak of fall colors on this trail, but I did get to see a lot of pinecones!

Three hours and thirteen minutes later, I found myself back at the car, feeling accomplished with my hike and elevation gain. Though my brain was often not on the hike, it was another great morning spent in the trees and sunshine, which I sorely needed (I had to cancel a week-long trip to eight National Park Service units in New Mexico along with the Trinity Site Open House due to the federal government shutdown, so I was a bit down to say the least).

All in all, I enjoyed my hike to Kruger Rock. It provided insane views without committing to higher elevations hikes like Twin Sisters Peaks, Estes Cone, or Deer Mountain, and it was nice to have a shorter drive and empty trailheads – something not found when going all the way into Rocky Mountain National Park. The region around Estes Park offers up many great hiking opportunities that I am guilty of forgetting about due to the lure of the high alpine within the national park… here’s to getting out and exploring more of these gems!

Details:
All Trails Link
Date Hiked: October 17, 2025
Trailhead: Saddle
Total Mileage: 8.21 miles (Garmin Enduro 3)
Total Elevation Gain: 1703 feet (Garmin Enduro 3)
Total Time Spent: 3 hours 13 minutes
Weather: Sun and windy
Trail Conditions: Dry
Special Considerations: This hike starts in Hermit Park Open Space, and has a $10 entrance fee (2025). There are electronic fee stations at the entrance. Saddle Trailhead has vault toilets. Limber Pine Trail is a multi-use trail open to hikers, mountain bikers, horses, and dogs. Kruger Rock Trail is only open to hikers and dogs. Kruger Rock itself is in Roosevelt National Forest.

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Published by The Adventuring Heidi

Hi world, I’m Heidi! Adventurer, road trip fanatic, photography geek, waterfall chaser, geyser gazer, Iceland obsessed, Wyoming native, outdoor lover. I travel a lot personally and for work, and love capturing the awesome and awkward moments along the way.

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