Aug 23, 2016 — A year ago, I did the much shorter loop to Liberty Cap via the Corkscrew Trail. This route is a much longer hike, starting from the west along the scenic drive. We set out along the Ute Canyon Trail, which was interesting and had some nice foliage and a cool narrow section at first, but slowly tapered off and became a walk through an unmemorable canyon. Also, I think the trail bypasses the interesting canyon, but I recommend going through it. After a long time on the Ute Canyon Trail, we made it to the Bench Trail, which we followed for a short time around the northern side of Liberty Cap, and then onto the Lower Liberty Cap Trail. This trail led up the cliffs and to the base of Liberty Cap, which we climbed up using old metal rungs on the south side of the feature. We then took the Upper Liberty Cap Trail back west. It was little more than an old dirt road, and was not interesting. We made it back to the park road and followed it south to the Ute Canyon Trailhead.
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