Colorado · Hiking

Cold Water

16.9 mi
round trip
2,755 ft
climb
10,136 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Jul, Sep
best months

Is Cold Water open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in San Juan National Forest. It doesn't name Cold Water, so check the source for the area it covers (3 listed).

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

Cold Water is a hard hike on natural surface in the Pagosa Ranger District of Colorado's San Juan National Forest, managed by the Forest Service. The route is an out-and-back of about 16.9 miles with a total elevation gain of 2,755 feet, climbing from a low point around 7,350 feet to a high of about 10,136 feet. The trail also allows horses. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at a similar elevation run from highs around 71°F in June to about 76°F in July, while winter brings highs in the low 30s and regular snow days. That station sits a few hundred feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures up top run a little cooler. The hike is open from June 1 to September 30. Baldy Mountain and Coldwater Stock Dr. are both within about 2 miles, and the First Fork Piedra River offers canoeing. Paddlers can also look to Devil Creek, about 9 miles away.

Local outfitters

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