Colorado · Hiking · Comanche Peak Wilderness · Near Estes Park

Big South

3.1 mi
loop
1,002 ft
climb
9,705 ft
high point
Loop
route
Jun, Sep
best months

Is Big South open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 4 alerts for Canyon Lakes Ranger District.

As of · Source: USFS · Canyon Lakes Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Big South is a moderate 3.1-mile loop hike in the Comanche Peak Wilderness, part of the Canyon Lakes Ranger District of the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests in Colorado. It is a Forest Service trail, and the route rises about 1,000 feet from a low of roughly 9,470 feet to a high of about 9,705 feet. Horses are allowed, and bikes are not. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show July highs around 74°F with lows near 43°F, while September cools to highs around 65°F. Peterson Lake lies about half a mile away, and Long Draw, a mountain biking area, is about 1.9 miles off. Long Draw Campground is about 2.2 miles away, and La Poudre Pass Creek, a paddling spot, is about 3 miles away.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Corral Park

    Campground

    Campground · 1.9 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Trail Ridge Cafe

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 7 mi
  • If it rains

    Almost East Gemstone Peak

    Viewpoint

    On your way back · 17 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Estes Park

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Jun, Sep

    Best time to visit Big South

    Best months: June and September. 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

      31° / 11°

      9 wet

    2. Feb

      33° / 10°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      40° / 15°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      45° / 20°

      10 wet

    5. May

      55° / 28°

      10 wet

    6. Jun

      68° / 36°

      10 wet

    7. Jul

      74° / 43°

      13 wet

    8. Aug

      72° / 41°

      14 wet

    9. Sep

      65° / 34°

      10 wet

    10. Oct

      51° / 25°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      39° / 18°

      9 wet

    12. Dec

      31° / 11°

      9 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Hourglass Rsvr, CO, 7.9 mi away at 9,520 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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