let me start by saying the one way treck is between 2.2-2.5 miles. so basically anywhere from 4.5…read moreto 5 miles round-trip.
You start out at the trail head, there are restrooms there. You start out going uphill a little bit, which is kind of quick and if you're not warmed up or you're not ready or in shape , your calfs can start burning quickly. The first part of the hike isn't terrible but it is uphill. I would say a good 70% of the hike is uphill. some of the uphill is very easy and some of it is rather difficult. I wouldn't recommend getting here during the heat of the day as it is only a partly shaded trail and you are exposed to the sun a lot. The summit has a central area that is exposed to the sun and the surrounding tree line which is shaded. The second half of the trail is much harder than the first in my opinion. You don't exactly have to "Boulder" but you do have to climb over some rocks for a part of the hike. it's not a steep jump off the rocks or off the cliff or something like that. It's a fairly safe area but it's pretty rocky in some places. In some areas there's also a lot of roots. It's a beautiful hike and I would recommend doing it in the morning or later in the evening. As you hike you'll notice that some people have made trails that go up to the same place but are not part of the official trail. I took the official trail. I didn't use any side routes or short cuts. When you get close to the top, you still have a little ways to go, but it's close, you'll hit a gravel road/trail. It comes to a T. You want to go right and uphill and follow the trail that way. I would say the first third of the trail is fairly nice and gentle uphill. The second third of the trail, after the overlook gets rocky and rugged that's the hardest part. The third part of the trail isn't terrible, but it's worse than the first in better than the second (by the third part of the trail, you're tired, so it's really hard to gauge). That being said, if you hike a lot, you're used to Colorado hikes you're in shape, you do marathons, run a lot, exercise and are fit this may not be a difficult hike for you. i hike maybe once a month but I am kind of out of shape. I started on a Wednesday around 215- 220 PM and reach the top around 4 PM. I did have to take a couple of breaks. I do recommend hiking shoes, not because you need them to hike per se but because they protect your toebox, especially when you're going downhill. If you have bad, knees or joints, I do recommend hiking sticks, but if you don't, the hike , isn't that bad. lots of butterflies and squirrels and little critters around this time. Every time I took a break something was buzzing around so if you have bug spray, you may want to use it.
I do recommend this hike, it's a great hike, it doesn't take too long. From start to finish it took me maybe three hours and I spent 30 minutes at the top. I don't think if this is a newer hike for you, you should go in the evening or at night, because on the way down, while the trail is fairly well marked, there are a little offshoots that people created, which may confuse you in the dark. there are also plenty of areas to sit down for a second to catch your breath.
I think you are allowed dogs on the trail but I don't know if they need a leash or not. Be warned people do camp a lot and I did notice some small pieces of glass here and there especially near the top. It's definitely not a lot, but I did notice it. as you get closer to the top, it does get a little wet, but not terrible and it's very nice. There's usually a lot of people on this trail so it's fun! I've done this trail about three times now, I haven't been in the past couple of years, I will say that I'm out of shape, and it was a little bit of a burner, but well worth it,