The Citadel–Herman Lake, 4 summits
14.5 mi · ▲ 4,283 ft · 6 hr 58 min
The Citadel–Herman Lake, 4 summits is a 14.5-mile out-and-back in Arapaho National Forest near Berthoud Falls, CO. The route passes Jones Pass and Herman Lake before reaching The Citadel at the turnaround, 7.2 miles in. It climbs 4,283 ft, with sections as steep as 48% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 58/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
The Citadel–Herman Lake, 4 summits
14.5 mi · ▲ 4,283 ft · 6 hr 58 min
Elevation 11,824–13,219 ft
Out & Back · Arapaho National Forest
Trailhead: Jones Pass Trail · 39.77391, -105.88940
Weather Sep 4: Snow, high 59°F / low 33° · precip 13% · wind 1 mph · sunrise 6:35 AM · sunset 7:32 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Jones Pass Trail, heading S.
- 50 ftPass Jones Pass.
- 5.5 miTurn right onto Herman Gulch Trail, heading NW.
- 0.3 miPass Herman Lake.
- 100 ftBear right, heading W.
- 0.5 miBear left, heading S.
- 0.9 miReach The Citadel, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.8 miBear right, heading N.
- 0.5 miTurn right, heading NW.
- 0.3 miTurn left onto Jones Pass Trail, heading E.
- 5.5 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is right at the trailhead, so there is no walk out. Be there by 7:12 PM to have the sun's last 20 minutes of sky before it sets at 7:32 PM. Your car is right there — dark at 7:59 PM.
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Jones Pass Trail Trailhead
- Jones Pass 3.6 mi · ▲ 624 ft
- Mount Nystrom–Jones Pass, 3 summits 6 mi · ▲ 1,322 ft
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