The Upper Part of the Round Mountain National Recreation Trail The Summit Adventure Trail is part of the Round Mountain National Recreational Trail (4.5 miles one way), which also includes the Foothills Nature Trail. The Summit Adventure Trail is a 4.5 mile Moderate hike to the summit of Sheep Mountain. A full day should be allowed for this hike, which will take approximately 6-8 hours to complete at a normal hiking pace (9.1 miles round trip). Please plan your hike to conclude before dark. The only sanitation facilities are near the trailhead, so please remember to utilize them before beginning your hike. To take this trail, begin where there is a split in the main trail shortly after leaving the parking lot (about a 1/4 mile in) which allows you to continue on the Foothills Nature Trail (which is an Easy 1 mile hike, or instead go on to the summit of Sheep Mountain on the Round Mountain National Recreational Trail – Summit Adventure Trail portion of the trail. There are directional signs on the trail to assist with your choice. For more information about the Foothills Nature Trail, please see the Foothills Nature Trail listing. The trailhead parking area is located in the Big Thompson Canyon, approximately 4 miles west of The Dam Store on Colorado State Highway 34 (approximately 12 miles west of Loveland). The trailhead is located on Highway 34 (across from the entrance of the Viestenz-Smith Mountain Park).
