Colorado · Hiking · Near Estes Park

Green Ridge

1.9 mi
round trip
34 ft
climb
8,418 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Jul, Sep
best months

Is Green Ridge open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 3 alerts for Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests.

As of · Source: USFS · Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Green Ridge is an easy, short hike in the Sulphur Ranger District of the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests in Colorado. The route is about 1.9 miles long, with an elevation gain of about 34 feet, and it runs from a low of roughly 8,378 feet to a high of about 8,418 feet, making it a gentle out-and-back. The trail is accessible and built on natural surface, and it allows horses and bikes. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is part of the national forest system. Summer and early fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Grand Lake show July highs around 75°F with lows near 44°F, and September highs around 67°F. Winter is cold, with January highs near 26°F. The open season runs from June 1 to November 15, and the trailhead is at Shadow Mountain Dam. Green Ridge Campground sits about 1.1 miles away, and the John Kirkpatrick Trail and the Shadow Mountain Lookout trail are each about 1.3 miles off.

Around this trail

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

    Green Ridge Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 1.1 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Wild Bear Tavern

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 3 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Estes Park

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Jun–Jul, Sep

    Best time to visit Green Ridge

    Best months: June–July and 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

      26° / 3°

      11 wet

    2. Feb

      30° / 4°

      10 wet

    3. Mar

      40° / 13°

      9 wet

    4. Apr

      48° / 23°

      10 wet

    5. May

      59° / 31°

      11 wet

    6. Jun

      70° / 38°

      10 wet

    7. Jul

      75° / 44°

      12 wet

    8. Aug

      73° / 43°

      13 wet

    9. Sep

      67° / 36°

      10 wet

    10. Oct

      55° / 27°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      40° / 18°

      8 wet

    12. Dec

      28° / 8°

      10 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Grand Lake 6 Ssw, CO, 2.3 mi away at 8,288 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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