July 14, 2025

By Tim Briese

5.2 miles, 1000’ elevation gain, 4:20 roundtrip time

My friend Craig invited me to hike the Shrine Ridge Trail near Vail Pass, one of his favorite places to see summer wildflowers. I knew this hike has outstanding reviews but had never been there before so I eagerly accepted the invitation. We were accompanied by Mark, another acquaintance.

This hike is immensely popular, with easy access along the unpaved Shrine Pass Road a couple of miles west of I-70 at Vail Pass, and the spacious parking lot was nearly full when we arrived on this weekend summer morning.

The trail is wide and easy, and scenic all the way.

hikers on the shrine ridge trail

mark and craig

For the first two miles the trail climbs through luscious meadows with abundant wildflowers to the crest of Shrine Ridge. Along the ridge we found even more prolific wildflowers and sweeping views in all directions.

a view of mt. of the holy cross on the distant ridgeline

We encountered numerous hikers, including a couple of women who told us that they had hiked up here every year in July for twenty-some consecutive years. The trail climbed to the north a bit more and went over the summit of Shrine Mountain and then descended gently along the crest of the ridge to its spectacular culmination at a broad viewpoint.

me on the summit rock of shrine mountain

hikers ahead at the end of the ridge

scenic rocks to the east of the main ridge

mark checking out the expansive view

We retraced our steps back up and over the summit and found even more meadows filled with gorgeous wildflowers.

Fortunately rain showers held off for us today. After a while we hiked back down to the trailhead and headed back to Denver.