Colorado · Hiking

Hippo

4.3 mi
round trip
1,399 ft
climb
9,781 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Jul
best months

Is Hippo 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.

Hippo is a hard out-and-back hike in the Dillon Ranger District of Colorado's White River National Forest, managed by the Forest Service. The route is about 4.3 miles long, with a total elevation gain of 1,399 feet, and it reaches a high point of 9,781 feet. The climb is steady, and the steepest stretch comes at about 0.56 miles in, with a grade of 12 percent. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Dillon, which sits about 700 feet lower, show July highs around 75°F with lows near 38°F, while winter highs stay in the low 30s. The trip takes about two hours. Blair Witch is a hike just 0.3 miles away, and the Continental Divide N.S.T. mountain biking route is 0.6 miles off. For an overnight stay, Lowry Campground is about 3.8 miles away, and Dillon Reservoir offers lake fishing about 4.6 miles from the trail.

Go with a guide

  • Best time to go · Jun–Jul

    Best time to visit Hippo

    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, 5.9 mi away at 9,065 ft. The station sits about 700 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.

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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors