Colorado · Hiking

Beaver Cow

3.7 mi
round trip
541 ft
climb
10,038 ft
high point
Out and back
route

Beaver Cow is a hard hike on the natural-surface trails of the Gunnison Ranger District, part of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests in Colorado. The route is out and back, about 3.7 miles in length, with a one-way elevation gain of 541 feet from a low of about 9,512 feet to a high of about 10,038 feet. The trail is open year-round, and the Forest Service manages the surrounding land. It is rated hard, and the route allows horses and bikes. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the nearby Taylor Park weather station, about 14 miles away, run to highs near 72°F in July and 70°F in August, with July lows around 42°F. That station sits roughly 860 feet lower than the high point of this hike, so temperatures up top run cooler. The Timber hike lies about 0.4 miles away, and the Fossil Ridge Trail is about 3.5 miles off. For an overnight stay, the One Mile campground is about 6.7 miles away. Climbers can find the Gunnison Mountain Park Picnic Area about 6.3 miles from the trail.