Colorado · Hiking · South San Juan Wilderness

El Rito Azul

8.3 mi
round trip
1,235 ft
climb
11,483 ft
high point
Out and back
route

Is El Rito Azul open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Rio Grande National Forest. It doesn't name El Rito Azul, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · Rio Grande National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

El Rito Azul is a hard hike in Colorado's South San Juan Wilderness, within the Conejos Peak Ranger District of the Rio Grande National Forest. The trail is an out-and-back of about 8.3 miles, with a one-way elevation gain of 1,235 feet, taking you from a low point of about 10,231 feet to a high of about 11,483 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is natural-surfaced and open year-round. The route is rated hard, and it is a long, steep climb. Horses are allowed, so it works for riders as well as hikers. The trail starts close to the Middle Fork Conejos and North Fork hikes, both within a third of a mile. The Conejos River hike is about 1.8 miles away, and Mix Lake Campground is about 6.8 miles off.

Local outfitters

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