Cooper Basin
- 10.8 mi
- round trip
- 2,236 ft
- climb
- 11,974 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
Is Cooper Basin open right now?
Alert in the area
The Forest Service lists 6 alerts for White River National Forest.
FSR 286, Radical Hill, is closed due to washouts and unsafe conditions
Agency alert covering White River National Forest · USFS · White River National Forest
Limited parking at Snowmass Creek Trailhead
Agency alert covering White River National Forest · USFS · White River National Forest
Grizzly Creek Trail Closure
Agency alert covering White River National Forest · Order 2026-02 · USFS · White River National Forest
Ruedi Marina Day Use area Dump Station is CLOSED
Agency alert covering White River National Forest · USFS · White River National Forest
Asbestos safety closure - Camp Hale
Agency alert covering White River National Forest · USFS · White River National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · White River National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Cooper Basin is a hard hike in Colorado's White River National Forest, within the Aspen Ranger District. The route is an out-and-back of about 10.8 miles, with a total elevation gain of 2,236 feet, starting at a low point of about 9,754 feet and reaching a high of about 11,974 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is open year-round. The trail is natural-surfaced and allows both horses and bikes. The trailhead is at Pearl Pass Trailhead, and parking is also at Pearl Pass Trailhead. Conundrum Peak and Castle Peak both sit about 0.1 mile from the route. Pearl Pass Dispersed Campground is about 0.9 mile away. Castle Creek, a canoeing spot, is about 5.8 miles off.
Go with a guide
- Mineral Belt Trail Guided WalkRoamze · $25 per person · 32 mi away
- Maroon Bells Guide and Outfitters10 mi away
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
Photo: jl_2, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)Trail near Cathedral Lake
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Photo: jl_2, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)Electric Pass
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4.31-mile out-and-back hike near Ashcroft Mountain in Colorado with 284 ft of elevation gain.
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River Run
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Malemute Peak
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Crystal Peak Trail
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Conundrum
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