Colorado · Hiking · Eagles Nest Wilderness

Buffalo Mountain

3.9 mi
round trip
2,552 ft
climb
12,779 ft
high point
Out and back
route

Is Buffalo Mountain open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 6 alerts for White River National Forest.

As of · Source: USFS · White River National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Buffalo Mountain is a hard hike in Colorado's Eagles Nest Wilderness, part of the Dillon Ranger District of the White River National Forest. The trail is an out-and-back that climbs from about 10,000 feet to 12,779 feet, with a total elevation gain of 2,552 feet over a route of about 3.9 miles. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is on natural surface with no horses or bikes allowed. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the nearby Climax weather station, which sits about 1,400 feet lower, show July highs around 67°F and lows near 40°F, with no snow days. Winter is harsh, with highs in the mid-20s and snow on about half the days from December through February. The Buffalo Cabin Trailhead is the parking for this route, and the trail is open year-round. The Buffalo / S. Willow Connect and the Buffalo Mountain Trail (used for ski touring) both start about 0.1 mile away. Heaton Bay Campground and the Blue River are about 2.6 miles off.

Go with a guide

  • Best time to go

    Best time to visit Buffalo Mountain

    No month here meets our mild-weather rule. 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

      27° / 3°

      15 wet · 15 snow

    2. Feb

      29° / 3°

      15 wet · 15 snow

    3. Mar

      35° / 8°

      14 wet · 14 snow

    4. Apr

      40° / 15°

      13 wet · 13 snow

    5. May

      49° / 25°

      10 wet · 8 snow

    6. Jun

      61° / 34°

      8 wet · 2 snow

    7. Jul

      67° / 40°

      13 wet

    8. Aug

      64° / 39°

      15 wet

    9. Sep

      58° / 32°

      11 wet · 2 snow

    10. Oct

      47° / 21°

      9 wet · 7 snow

    11. Nov

      35° / 11°

      12 wet · 12 snow

    12. Dec

      27° / 3°

      15 wet · 15 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Climax, CO, 18.1 mi away at 11,344 ft. The station sits about 1,400 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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Route details

Distance
3.9 mi round trip
Climbing
About 2,552 ft
Starts at
Buffalo Cabin Trailhead (about 9,998 ft)
Summit
12,779 ft
Difficulty
Hard

Getting there

Park at Buffalo Cabin Trailhead.

Season

Season: Year-round.

Questions about this route

How long is the Buffalo Mountain on Buffalo Mountain?

About 3.9 mi round trip from Buffalo Cabin Trailhead (about 9,998 ft).

How much elevation gain is on the Buffalo Mountain?

About 2,552 ft of climbing round trip.

How hard is the Buffalo Mountain?

It is rated hard.

Where does the Buffalo Mountain start?

Buffalo Cabin Trailhead (about 9,998 ft).

When is the best time for the Buffalo Mountain?

Year-round.

Conditions and forecast on Buffalo Mountain

Daily highs and lows, wind and the chance of precipitation at the summit and route start for the next 7 days, from the Open-Meteo model.