Colorado · Hiking · Near Idaho Springs

Jim Creek

Jim CreekPhoto: halseike, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
6.5 mi
round trip
1,229 ft
climb
10,655 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun, Sep
best months

Is Jim Creek 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.

Jim Creek is a hard, out-and-back hike in Colorado's Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests, within the Sulphur Ranger District. The trail runs about 6.5 miles round trip, with an elevation gain of 1,229 feet, starting at a low point of 9,319 feet and reaching 10,655 feet at its high point. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route's natural surface makes for a straightforward but steep climb. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the nearby Cabin Creek weather station, which sits about 635 feet lower than the high point, show July highs near 69°F and lows around 46°F, while winter highs stay near freezing from December through February. The trail opens from June 1 to November 15, and the trailhead is called Jim Creek Trailhead. The Challenger Trail and the Discovery mountain biking route both lie about 0.3 miles away. Midland Group Campground is 1.2 miles off, and B-Lot Boulder, a climbing area, is 0.9 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Jim Creek Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 0.4 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Pepperonis

    Pub

    On your way back · 1 mi
  • If it rainsUser:Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

    Hamill House Museum

    Museum

    Museum · 12 mi from Idaho Springs

    Historic house-museum in Georgetown, Colorado, United States

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: User:Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 4.0 (commons)

More in Idaho Springs

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Jun, Sep

    Best time to visit Jim Creek

    Best months: June 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

      32° / 12°

      8 wet

    2. Feb

      31° / 11°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      38° / 17°

      9 wet

    4. Apr

      43° / 23°

      10 wet

    5. May

      53° / 31°

      9 wet

    6. Jun

      64° / 40°

      9 wet

    7. Jul

      69° / 46°

      13 wet

    8. Aug

      67° / 44°

      14 wet

    9. Sep

      61° / 38°

      10 wet

    10. Oct

      50° / 29°

      7 wet

    11. Nov

      39° / 19°

      7 wet

    12. Dec

      32° / 12°

      8 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Cabin Creek, CO, 15.6 mi away at 10,020 ft. The station sits about 600 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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