Colorado · Hiking

Big Johnson

3.3 mi
round trip
890 ft
climb
7,878 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is Big Johnson open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. It doesn't name Big Johnson, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Big Johnson is a moderate out-and-back hike in Colorado's Grand Valley Ranger District, part of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. The trail is about 3.3 miles long, with an elevation gain of 890 feet from a low point of 6,988 feet to a high of 7,878 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route is natural-surfaced and open to horses. The most comfortable stretch for a visit runs from June through October, when typical averages from a nearby weather station in Norwood show highs in the low to mid 80s and lows in the 40s and 50s. That station sits about 850 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the summit run cooler. The trail is open seasonally from June 1 to October 31. Spring Creek Truck Trail lies about 0.6 miles away, and Spring Creek, Atkinson Bench and Atkinson are all within about 4 miles.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit Big Johnson

    Best months: May–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      39° / 13°

      5 wet · 5 snow

    2. Feb

      43° / 18°

      5 wet · 4 snow

    3. Mar

      52° / 25°

      5 wet · 3 snow

    4. Apr

      59° / 31°

      5 wet · 2 snow

    5. May

      69° / 38°

      5 wet

    6. Jun

      81° / 46°

      4 wet

    7. Jul

      85° / 53°

      8 wet

    8. Aug

      82° / 51°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      75° / 44°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      62° / 34°

      6 wet · 1 snow

    11. Nov

      50° / 23°

      5 wet · 3 snow

    12. Dec

      39° / 14°

      4 wet · 5 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Norwood, CO, 30.9 mi away at 7,020 ft. The station sits about 900 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.