Colorado · Hiking

Galena Ditch

4.6 mi
round trip
35 ft
climb
9,859 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Jul
best months

Is Galena Ditch 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.

Galena Ditch is a 4.6-mile out-and-back hike in the Dillon Ranger District of White River National Forest in Colorado, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is rated moderate, with a total elevation gain of 35 feet, so it's a low-key outing rather than a climb. The route is on natural surface, and both bikes and horses are allowed. The trail runs between about 9,733 and 9,859 feet, so it stays within a narrow range of elevation. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Dillon show July highs around 75°F with lows near 38°F, while winter highs stay around freezing. The Swan River, a canoeing spot, lies just 0.2 miles away, and Horseshoe Gulch and the Bookcase Trail are both within a mile. For an overnight stay, Lowry Campground is about 5.4 miles off.

Go with a guide

  • Best time to go · Jun–Jul

    Best time to visit Galena Ditch

    Best months: June–July. 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

      31° / 1°

      12 wet

    2. Feb

      33° / 4°

      11 wet

    3. Mar

      41° / 10°

      11 wet

    4. Apr

      47° / 18°

      11 wet

    5. May

      58° / 26°

      10 wet

    6. Jun

      69° / 33°

      9 wet

    7. Jul

      75° / 38°

      12 wet

    8. Aug

      73° / 37°

      13 wet

    9. Sep

      66° / 30°

      10 wet

    10. Oct

      54° / 21°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      41° / 11°

      9 wet

    12. Dec

      32° / 3°

      11 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Dillon 1 E, CO, 7.5 mi away at 9,065 ft. The station sits about 800 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.