Colorado · Hiking

Game Creek

8.3 mi
round trip
2,151 ft
climb
10,316 ft
high point
Out and back
route

Is Game Creek 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.

Game Creek is a moderate out-and-back hike in the Holy Cross Ranger District of White River National Forest, Colorado. The trail runs about 8.3 miles and gains roughly 2,150 feet, climbing from a low point of about 7,900 feet to a high of around 10,300 feet. It is an all-natural-surface route on Forest Service land. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Climax show July highs around 67°F with lows near 40°F, while winter brings highs in the upper 20s and frequent snow days from December through February. That station sits about 1,000 feet higher than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the trail run a bit warmer. The Game Creek Trailhead parking area is the starting point, and the route is open year-round. Horseback riders are welcome. Nearby, Magic Forest and Lucy's Loop sit about half a mile away for mountain biking. Cemetery Blocks offers climbing about 2.8 miles off, and Grouse Lake, a fishing spot, is about 3 miles away.

Go with a guide

  • Best time to go

    Best time to visit Game Creek

    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, 20.2 mi away at 11,344 ft. The station sits about 1,000 ft higher than this place, so expect it a little warmer here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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