Colorado · Hiking · Near Estes Park

Bright Extension

3.4 mi
round trip
1,251 ft
climb
8,577 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Is Bright Extension open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 3 alerts for Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests.

As of · Source: USFS · Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Bright Extension is a moderate out-and-back hike of about 3.4 miles in Colorado's Boulder Ranger District, part of the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests. The trail rises about 1,250 feet from a low point of 7,299 feet to a high point of 8,577 feet, and the Forest Service manages the land. The route is natural-surface and allows both horses and bikes. Parking is at the Bright Extension trailhead, and the trail is open seasonally from June 1 through October 31. Plan for the most comfortable weather in July and August, when typical averages from a nearby weather station at Allenspark run around 74°F for highs and 44°F for lows. Winters are cold, with January highs averaging about 32°F. Bright, a mountain biking area, sits about half a mile away, and North Saint Vrain Creek offers canoeing about 0.8 miles off. Coulson Gulch Trail is about 1.2 miles away, and Olive Ridge Campground is about 3.5 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Olive Ridge Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 3.5 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Rock Creek Tavern and Pizzeria

    Restaurant

    Open after 6

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

More in Estes Park

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Bright Extension

    Best months: May–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

      32° / 14°

    2. Feb

      35° / 15°

    3. Mar

      42° / 20°

    4. Apr

      46° / 23°

    5. May

      56° / 32°

    6. Jun

      69° / 38°

    7. Jul

      74° / 44°

    8. Aug

      73° / 43°

    9. Sep

      66° / 36°

    10. Oct

      52° / 29°

    11. Nov

      41° / 20°

    12. Dec

      33° / 14°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Allenspark 3nw, CO, 3.4 mi away at 8,500 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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