Colorado · Hiking · Near Durango

Dry Fork

8.2 mi
round trip
1,203 ft
climb
8,583 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Caution at last check

Agency alerts are in effect for this area; weather is good · USFS, OpenWeather · checked 12 h ago

Is Dry Fork open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Columbine Ranger District. It doesn't name Dry Fork, so check the source for the area it covers (5 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Columbine Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Dry Fork is a hard out-and-back hike of about 8 miles, with a one-way climb of 1,200 feet from a low point of about 7,380 feet to a high of about 8,580 feet. It lies within the Columbine Ranger District of the San Juan National Forest, on land managed by State Fish and Wildlife and inside the Perins Peak State Wildlife Area. The trail is natural-surfaced and carries riders and horses, so it works for a variety of outings. The most comfortable stretch for a visit runs from late spring into early fall. Typical averages from the nearby Ft Lewis weather station, which sits about 1,000 feet lower, show July highs near 80°F and September highs near 71°F. That station's cold months are also harsh, with January highs around 36°F and lows near 12°F. The trail is open from May 1 through October 31. The trailhead is called Dry Fork Trailhead, and Junction Creek Campground is about a mile away. The Hoffheins Connection hike starts less than a mile off, and climbers will find the Far Right and Ciao Bella! areas about a mile from the trail.

Around this trail

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

    Junction Creek Campground - Day Use

    Campground

    Campground · 1.2 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Serious Texas Barbecue

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 4 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0 (commons)

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Local outfitters

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