Chautauqua and Sundance Mountain Loop

Chautauqua and Sundance Mountain Loop is a challenging hike located near Palmer Lake, Colorado. This hike brings you to the summit of two mountains in the Pike National Forest. This loop is 7.4 miles long and gains over 3,000 feet of elevation.

This hike starts from Palmer Lake Reservoir Trailhead. There are portable toilets available here. A daily parking pass is required. The current cost is $5.30. Begin hiking west on Chautauqua Mountain Trail. You will be hiking uphill as the trail switches back across the slope. As you ascend, you will have periodic views of the town of Palmer Lake. After 0.9 miles, you will have made it to the summit ridge of Chautauqua Mountain. Another 0.1 miles will bring you to the true summit of the mountain. Continue hiking west along the ridge. The trail is up and down for the next mile. Then you will continue on downhill terrain. After 0.2 miles, you will reach a junction and go right onto Forest Road 322. You will still be hiking downhill.

After 0.6 miles, you will come to a junction and stay right. Another 0.4 miles will bring you to a junction. Go right here. You will now be walking along the shore of  Upper Palmer Reservoir on La Deux Réservoirs Trail. Over the next 0.8 miles, you will encounter 3 junctions. Go right at all 3. Continue for 0.2 miles to reach 2 additional junctions. Go right at the first and left at the second. You will now be hiking uphill on Sundance Valley Trail. After 0.7 miles, turn right onto Sundance Mountain Trail. Hike on this up and down trail for 0.6 miles to reach the summit of Sundance Mountain. From here, you will have views of Chautauqua Mountain and Pikes Peak. Then you will turn around and retrace your steps to return to La Deux Réservoirs Trail. Follow this trail back to the trailhead.

Pike National Forest is open for hiking year round. Parking is the only associated fee to hike here. Dogs are not allowed on this trail.