Colorado · Hiking · Near Leadville

Black Cloud

Black CloudPhoto: jefftakespictures, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
6.8 mi
round trip
3,747 ft
climb
13,453 ft
high point
Out and back
route

Is Black Cloud open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Leadville Ranger District. It doesn't name Black Cloud, so check the source for the area it covers.

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

Black Cloud is a hard hike in Colorado's Leadville Ranger District, part of the Pike and San Isabel National Forests. The trail is an out-and-back that climbs from about 9,700 feet to 13,453 feet, a total gain of 3,747 feet over roughly 6.8 miles. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trailhead is called Black Cloud Trailhead. The route is open year-round, and the trail surface is natural. Bikes are allowed. Twin Peaks Campground sits about 0.9 miles away, and Parry Peak Campground is about 1.5 miles off. Climbers can head to the Clairabell Mine Wall Area, about 0.8 miles away, and hikers can try Rinker Peak, about 1.8 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Twin Peaks Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 0.9 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Punky's

    Fast food

    On your way back · 3 mi
  • If it rainsLongled, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

    Temple Israel

    Museum

    In town

    Historic frontier synagogue building

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Longled, CC BY-SA 3.0 (commons)

More in Leadville

Go with a guide

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

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Rinker Peak

~3 min drive

Route to the summit of Rinker Peak (13,730 ft) from Willis Gulch Trailhead.

Twin LakesPhoto: Frans-Banja Mulder, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Twin Lakes

~4 min drive

1.68-mile out-and-back trail to Twin Lakes in Colorado's Pike and San Isabel National Forests.

La Plata PeakPhoto: kalestews, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

La Plata Peak

~6 min drive

9.37-mile out-and-back to La Plata Peak in Colorado's Pike and San Isabel National Forests

MOUNTAIN BOYPhoto: Toshihiro Matsui, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

MOUNTAIN BOY

~10 min drive

Mountain Boy is a 2.42-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 1,921 feet of elevation gain.

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Mount Blaurock

~3 min drive

Route to the summit of Mount Blaurock (13,593 ft) from Willis Gulch Trailhead.

Black Cloud TrailPhoto: jl_2, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Black Cloud Trail

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1.36-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 521 ft elevation gain.

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Colorado Trail Seg. 10 Hagerman Pass Road to Halfmoon Creek

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North Fork Lake Creek

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Mount ElbertPhoto: markbyzewski, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Mount Elbert

~10 min drive

Standard route to Mount Elbert (14,439 ft) from Mount Elbert Trailhead (North/Northeast Ridge).

Independance Pass OverlookPhoto: dconvertini, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Independance Pass Overlook

~13 min drive

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