Jardine Juniper Trail Head

I loved this hike! ❤️ It's ideal for families with bigger kids, not too tough but long enough to keep everyone engaged. Be sure to pack water, as you'll appreciate the refreshment. The scenery is gorgeous, with streams to enjoy along the way and there's just the right amount of shade to take a breather.

Beautiful trail. Late june or july first is the probably the best time with a lot of wildflowers and greenery. Fairly less busier than other places in the canyon.

Hard going. Some places were muddy (snow was melting), other places snowy. The trail takes you up and down through the meadows, hills and ridges.. Gorgeous views! 5 mile trail. One way. Overall it took us about 5 hours of medium to slow pace walk to complete it (there in back).

Jardine Juniper is a great hike in the fall. It isn't too hot and the colors were amazing.. Make sure to bring food and water since it is a long hike. Websites say it is 5.5 to 5.8 miles one way. The trails aren't too steep like the Wind Caves so the elevation change felt more gradual. I recommend taking the scenic route up on the Juniper tree loop since you the views are great. Then take the shady route on the way back since it is shorter. It took us about 5.5 to 6 hours to do this hike (not including the time we took while we ate lunch at the Juniper tree). My kids (ages 6, 9, 11) were able to do this hike. We do like hiking so this isn't their first hike.They loved seeing the tree and liked learning about the history.

This is a fun hike that is great for families with kids that are a little older. It’s not very strenuous but it is long so bring water or a water filter - there are some streams along the way. The views are beautiful and it offers the right amount of shade for spots to take breaks out of the sun. My kids were not as impressed by the tree as much as my wife and I but after we explain the 1500 year old history of the tree, I feel like they had a better appreciation of it.