Cool Valley

Cool Valley is a 4-mile out-and-back hike in Colorado's Pike and San Isabel National Forests, within the South Park Ranger District. The trail rises from about 8,200 feet to about 8,658 feet, a climb of 451 feet, and is rated moderate. The Forest Service manages the land. The route is natural-surfaced and allows bikes, so it works for hikers and riders alike. It stays open year-round, and the nearest town is Divide, about 10 miles away. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Divide run to highs around 74°F in July and 71°F in August, with lows in the mid-40s. That station sits about 476 feet higher than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the trail run a little warmer. Cedar Mountain and Heavenly Ridge are both about 0.3 miles away. Turkey Rock, a climbing area, is about 1.6 miles off, and Wildhorn campground is about 3.6 miles away.