Overview
Pagoda Mountain stands between Longs Peak and Chiefs Head at the head of Glacier Gorge. From Black Lake you follow a fainter trail toward Green Lake, climb a long talus cone and couloir to the notch just north of Pagoda, and scramble over big boulders up the north ridge to the summit.
It is Class 2+: about 1,200 feet of talus and couloir, then 400 feet of boulder scrambling. From the top you look straight across at the Keyboard of the Winds and the Longs Peak standard route.
The round trip is about 14.8 miles with 4,315 feet of gain. From a designated backcountry campsite between Mills and Black lakes (permit required) it is a half day.
Plan of the day
By 4:30 a.m. from the trailhead.
Be at the top of the couloir by 10:30 a.m.
The upper couloir and the boulder scramble on the north ridge.
Moderate. Head for the west-facing couloir that drops from the last notch north of Pagoda's summit. Go around a steep slab low down on a grassy ramp at its base.
Glacier Creek and the lakes. Filter it.
Getting to the trailhead
Glacier Gorge (Rocky Mountain National Park)
From Estes Park, enter Rocky Mountain National Park at the Beaver Meadows entrance and drive Bear Lake Road to the Glacier Gorge trailhead. The lot fills very early; a park shuttle also stops here.
The park charges an entry fee and may require a timed-entry reservation in summer. Check the park website.
Base towns and camping for this climb
Coming from out of state? See Lodging & Camping for how free camping works, what is closed this year and where to stay.
Before you go
Check these the week of your climb.
Official forecast
The National Weather Service forecast for the summit area, hour by hour. Look for thunderstorm chances and wind above treeline.
NWS point forecast →Directions to the trailhead
Glacier Gorge (Rocky Mountain National Park). Road conditions near the trailhead change after storms. Check your clearance and have a backup plan for a lower lot.
Get directions →Roads and highways
Closures, construction and winter conditions on the highways that get you there.
COtrip road conditions →Closures and fire rules
Trail closures, fire bans and other alerts from the Forest Service in Colorado. For the latest on your trailhead, call the local ranger district.
Forest Service alerts →Snow on the route?
From fall through early summer, any snow slope can slide. Check the avalanche forecast before you go.
Avalanche forecast →Cell signal
Most trailheads and many summits have little or no signal. Check coverage near the trailhead and carry a satellite messenger or beacon if you can.
FCC coverage map →