Colorado · Hiking · Near Glenwood Springs

Defiance

4.0 mi
round trip
2,364 ft
climb
8,474 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Sep
best months

Is Defiance 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.

Defiance is a hard hike of about 4 miles on an out-and-back route in the Eagle Ranger District of Colorado's White River National Forest. It rises from about 6,061 feet to 8,474 feet, a gain of roughly 2,360 feet, and the trail is on natural surface. The Forest Service manages the land. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Meredith, CO, run to highs around 75°F in June and 81°F in July, with lows in the low 40s. Winters there are cold, with January highs near 34°F and lows around 4°F. Horses are allowed on the trail, but bikes are not. Hanging Lake and Glenwood Canyon Trail are both within about a mile and a half, and Glenwood Canyon Resort is about 5 miles away for an overnight stay.

Around this trail

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

    Glenwood Canyon Resort

    Campground

    Campground · 5.0 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Smokehouse

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 6 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Glenwood Springs

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Jun–Sep

    Best time to visit Defiance

    Best months: June–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

      34° / 4°

    2. Feb

      36° / 6°

    3. Mar

      43° / 13°

    4. Apr

      51° / 21°

    5. May

      63° / 28°

    6. Jun

      75° / 34°

    7. Jul

      81° / 40°

    8. Aug

      80° / 39°

    9. Sep

      71° / 32°

    10. Oct

      61° / 23°

    11. Nov

      45° / 13°

    12. Dec

      34° / 5°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Meredith, CO, 28.9 mi away at 7,825 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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