Colorado · Hiking

Hay Meadow

Hay MeadowPhoto: jrm353, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
5.7 mi
round trip
1,362 ft
climb
9,188 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Sep
best months

Is Hay Meadow 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.

Hay Meadow is a moderate out-and-back hike of about 5.7 miles on natural surface trail in the Holy Cross Ranger District of White River National Forest in Colorado. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route rises from a low point of about 7,826 feet to a high of about 9,188 feet, with a total elevation gain of 1,362 feet. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Vail show July highs around 77°F with lows near 42°F, and the trail sits a few hundred feet higher than that station, so expect it to run slightly cooler. Bikes and horses are both allowed on the trail. Grouse Lake sits just 0.1 mile away, and the Half Nelson mountain biking trail is 0.3 mile off. Climbers can find the Cemetery Block climbing area about 1.7 miles away. For an overnight stay, Halfmoon Campground is about 6.4 miles away.

Go with a guide

  • Best time to go · Jun–Sep

    Best time to visit Hay Meadow

    Best months: June–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

      29° / 7°

      12 wet

    2. Feb

      33° / 9°

      11 wet

    3. Mar

      42° / 17°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      49° / 24°

      9 wet

    5. May

      60° / 31°

      9 wet

    6. Jun

      71° / 36°

      8 wet

    7. Jul

      77° / 42°

      10 wet

    8. Aug

      74° / 41°

      11 wet

    9. Sep

      67° / 34°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      54° / 25°

      7 wet

    11. Nov

      38° / 15°

      9 wet

    12. Dec

      28° / 7°

      11 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Vail, CO, 5.3 mi away at 8,304 ft. The station sits about 900 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.