Colorado · Hiking · Near Estes Park

Cmc (South)

4.9 mi
round trip
255 ft
climb
10,399 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun, Sep
best months

Is Cmc (South) 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.

Cmc (South) is a moderate, out-and-back hike of about 4.9 miles in the Boulder Ranger District of the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests in Colorado. The trail rises from a low point of about 10,115 feet to a high point of about 10,399 feet, with an elevation gain of about 255 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route is on a natural surface. Bikes and horses are both allowed, making it a versatile trail for a range of outings. The trip starts at the Red Rock Trailhead, and the route stays open year-round. Summer is the most comfortable season. Typical averages from a nearby weather station run to highs around 68°F in July and 66°F in August, with lows in the low 40s. That station sits about 570 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the higher ground run a little cooler. The Brainard Snowshoe Trail for cross-country skiing lies just 0.1 mile away, and the Waldrop (North) hike is about 0.2 mile off. Pawnee Campground is roughly 1.6 miles from the trailhead, and Camp Dick Campground is about 3.5 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Pawnee Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 1.6 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Millsite Inn

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 2 mi

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 · Jun, Sep

    Best time to visit Cmc (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

      29° / 12°

      15 wet

    2. Feb

      28° / 11°

      16 wet

    3. Mar

      36° / 17°

      16 wet

    4. Apr

      40° / 22°

      17 wet

    5. May

      50° / 29°

      16 wet

    6. Jun

      62° / 36°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      68° / 43°

      14 wet

    8. Aug

      66° / 41°

      13 wet

    9. Sep

      59° / 34°

      10 wet

    10. Oct

      47° / 26°

      10 wet

    11. Nov

      35° / 19°

      12 wet

    12. Dec

      28° / 12°

      15 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Boulder 14 W, CO, 3.2 mi away at 9,828 ft. The station sits about 600 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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