Hiking – RMOTHG Raspberry Mtn (8634') and Mt Herman (9063') loop hike

THIS HIKE IS FOR RMOTHG MEMBERS AND IS LIMITED TO THOSE WHO ARE FULLY VACCINATED OR HAVE A NEGATIVE PCR TEST WITHIN THREE DAYS OF THE TRIP

The mileage allowance per car is 66 miles x .30 = $20.  This will be divided by the number of people in each car

There will be an optional celebratory stop after the hike for those who are interested.

Don’t forget to bring your Ten Essentials.

Please advise me of any medical conditions that may affect you on the hike via email.

THIS HIKE IS FOR RMOTHG MEMBERS AND IS LIMITED TO THOSE WHO ARE FULLY VACCINATED AND BOOSTED

Meet at 8:00AM in the Cabelas parking lot at Ridgegate and I-25, specifically in the northwest section of the parking lot near the Cabela's, so we can leave no later than 8:15AM.  Here is a Google Maps link to the meeting place: https://goo.gl/maps/wWCXBUwvW7D5SDSg6  DO NOT PARK in the parking lot close to the Sierra Restaurant or the hotel!

The Trailhead is the Mt. Herman Trailhead (8150’) on the Mt Herman road west of Monument in northern El Paso County. Here’s a Google Maps link to it: https://goo.gl/maps/jtcoDCZt79X92ntY9  The last 3 miles of the road to the trailhead are on gravel road.

This is a loop hike. From the Mt Herman Trailhead, we will first follow the Mt Herman Road about 1000 ft west to the trailhead for Trail 715 (Limbaugh Canyon Trail). We will then follow Trail 715 for 1/3 mile up to the saddle. From the saddle, instead of heading down into Limbaugh Canyon, we will turn right and head up the ridge through some beautiful large rock formations, with some great views of Limbaugh Canyon and additional rock formations to the west. We will continue north to Raspberry Mountain (8634'). We will then return south, and then up Mt Herman's north ridgeline to Mt Herman's summit (9063') where we will have lunch and enjoy the great views of Colorado Springs, The Air Force Academy, Monument, Palmer Lake, and the Black Forest, up into Douglas County and Denver Metro, as well as views of Pikes Peak and the Rampart Range. From Mt Herman's summit we will return via the Mt Herman Trail to the Mt Herman Trailhead.

THIS IS NOT AN EASY HIKE!  Parts of it are relatively steep on gravel trail, some minor maneuvering around rocks, and on trails of varying quality. We will go slowly up through these sections.  You will definitely want good sturdy footwear and hiking sticks (if you use them at all)!