October 26, 2018

This hike is a favorite of ours because it is such a short drive from Cortez, it is a short (but steep) hike and has spectacular and unique views. 

Trailhead:

The trail head for this hike is one of several in Morefield Campground inside Mesa Verde National Park. The campground is just 4 miles from the part entrance. You follow the main road through the campground all the way to it’s end at a large parking lot for the Amphitheater. The sign for the trailhead is rather small and easy to miss. It is on southeast side of the parking lot. In the fall, winter, and early spring you will find a large and most likely empty parking lot and have the trail to yourself. 

Terrain:

The trail is well marked. It is rocky in areas and steep in areas. Once you are on the mesa top there are exposed cliff edges, so if you are hiking with little ones, be prepared for your nerves to be shot with keeping an eye on them. 

Length:

This hike is 2.2 miles round trip. 

Difficulty:

This hike is either, really easy, or really hard, depending on whether you judge difficulty by length or elevation gain. Is it short – only a little over a mile to the tip of Point Lookout. There is about 1/2 mile that is steep switchbacks. Once you are past the switchbacks and on top of the mesa, it is a flat, easy walk to the Point. 

Highlights:

The view at sunset from the tip of the point is spectacular. It is absolutely worth the switchbacks. Every time I’m at the point at sunset it is absolutley awe-inspiring.