Colorado · Hiking · Sangre de Cristo Wilderness

Horsethief Basin

9.3 mi
round trip
2,493 ft
climb
12,823 ft
high point
Out and back
route

Is Horsethief Basin open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Rio Grande National Forest. It doesn't name Horsethief Basin, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · Rio Grande National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Horsethief Basin is a hard hike in the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, part of the Saguache Ranger District of the Rio Grande National Forest in Colorado. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is a natural-surface out-and-back that climbs from about 10,342 feet to about 12,823 feet over roughly 9.3 miles. The route is rated hard, and the one-way gain is about 2,493 feet. Horses are allowed on the trail, but bikes are not. That makes it a good fit for riders on horseback or for hikers who plan to carry their own gear. Several other routes lie within a few miles, including Crossover about 1.2 miles away and Major at about 2.6 miles. Lake of the Clouds is about 4.1 miles off, and Valley View Hot Springs offers camping about 5.7 miles away.

Local outfitters

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