Colorado · Hiking · Holy Cross Wilderness

Dead Dog

8.5 mi
round trip
14 ft
climb
11,249 ft
high point
Out and back
route

Is Dead Dog 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.

Dead Dog is an easy, out-and-back hike in the Holy Cross Wilderness, part of the Eagle Ranger District of the White River National Forest in Colorado. The trail is about 8.5 miles long, with a total elevation gain of 14 feet, and it reaches a high point of 11,249 feet. The Forest Service manages the land. The route is on natural ground, and horses are allowed, while biking is not. The trail runs year-round, and its low point sits at 8,719 feet. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the nearby Climax weather station show July highs around 67°F with lows near 40°F, and snow days drop to zero from June through September. Middle Lake and Snowslide Park are both about a mile away, and East Lake Creek is close by for paddling. Lake Charles offers fishing about 5 miles off.

Go with a guide

  • Best time to go

    Best time to visit Dead Dog

    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, 24.7 mi away at 11,344 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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