Independence Mountain (Pence Park) Hike Guide
Independence Mountain in Pence Park is a short hike located in Morrison, Colorado. The trail is steep and short with good views into the Indian Peaks Wilderness, Denver and the surrounding foothills from the summit on a clear day. Expect a steep hike, but one that is family friendly and suitable for hikers of all levels. Trail conditions range from minor scrambling to dirt. The steeper sections of the trail can have loose dirt in the summer months which can be a pain in the ass to deal with.
Independence Mountain (Pence Park) Quick Facts
Independence Mountain (Pence Park): ★★ (⅖ Stars)
Distance: 2.25 miles RT (distance can vary by .4 miles depending on route)
Elevation Start: 7,568 ft
Highest Point: 8,335 ft
Total Elevation Gain: 781 ft
Estimated Time to Complete: 1-1.5 Hours RT
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate What does this mean?
Class: Class 2 (very minor scrambling towards top) – What does this mean?
Season: Year-Round (Expect occasional snow/ice December – March)
Directions to Independence Mountain (Pence Park)
Trailhead: Pence Park
Getting Here: Depending on your direction, there are a couple of different ways to get to Independence Mountain and Pence Park. Its best to just enter the TH into your GPS instead of me trying to guess where you are starting from.
Parking: There is a moderate sized parking lot that can fit about 10-20 cars. Parking is free and there is a non-plumbing bathroom available. From 285 (Indian Hills) or 74 (Morrison), take Parmalee Gulch Rd (Colorado 120), until you reach the small parking area near Kittredge. For specific directions, enter Pence Park into your favorite navigational device.
Summary
Dogs: Independence Mountain (Pence Park) is dog friendly and has no terrain that any owner should worry about. There is a poop bag dispenser at the parking area of this hike.
Camping: Camping is not allowed at Independence Mountain (Pence Park).
Make it a Loop: Independence Mountain (Pence Park) is a lollipop loop if you take the north and south independence peak trail. If you want to add a longer hike, Corwina and O’Fallon Park offer additional hiking across the street. View park map here.
Trail X Factors: Residential Views
When I hike, I like to immerse myself in nature, leave society behind and forget where I am for a little bit. Unfortunately, the hike up to Independence Mountain makes it hard to do that. From the start of the hike, right until the summit, you see a variety of houses and at times (especially towards the top) feel like you are walking in their front yard.
Hike Tip(s): Pace yourself. The hike is short and even if you are used to hiking at elevation, will probably take your breath away and leave your leg muscles burning. From the parking lot until the summit, there are about 5-6 sections of 50-100 yards of “flat” hiking, the rest is straight up stair master mode.
Best Views: Independence Mountain offers good views into the IPW, Denver and the surrounding foothills. On a clear day views are pretty neat, when its cloudy, they suck, as you spend a lot of time under the trees. This is a good spot for sunrises, sunsets and you may see wildlife (Deer, Elk, Coyotes, Eagles etc.)