Buffalo Springs Campground
Campground
Campground · 4.1 mi from the trail
Colorado · Hiking · Near Leadville
Mcquaid
- 5.8 mi
- round trip
- 532 ft
- climb
- 9,537 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- Jun–Aug
- best months
Is Mcquaid open right now?
Alert in the area
The Forest Service lists 8 alerts for Pike and San Isabel National Forests.
FSR 286, Radical Hill, is closed due to washouts and unsafe conditions
Agency alert covering Pike and San Isabel National Forests · USFS · Pike and San Isabel National Forests
Interlaken Hotel Tree Hazards
Agency alert covering Pike and San Isabel National Forests · USFS · Pike and San Isabel National Forests
National Forest Service Road 8 closure
Agency alert covering South Park Ranger District · Order 02-12-10-26-13 · USFS · South Park Ranger District
Sharpe Fire Update
Agency alert covering Pike and San Isabel National Forests · USFS · Pike and San Isabel National Forests
Turquoise Lake Road (County Road 4) Closure
Agency alert covering Pike and San Isabel National Forests · USFS · Pike and San Isabel National Forests
As of · Source: USFS · Pike and San Isabel National Forests. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
McQuaid is a moderate out-and-back hike of about 5.8 miles on natural-surfaced trail in the South Park Ranger District of the Pike and San Isabel National Forests in Colorado. The Forest Service manages the land. The route gains about 532 feet, from a low point of about 9,292 feet to a high of about 9,537 feet. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show July highs around 76°F with lows near 41°F, while winter highs hover around freezing and lows drop to about -4°F. The trail is open year-round, and the route allows horses and bikes. For an overnight base, Buffalo Springs Campground sits about 4.1 miles away. Salt Creek and Davis Meadow are both within about 5 miles, and climbers can find The Three Amigos about 5.7 miles off.
Around this trail
Add any of these when you start a tripSleep close Eat after 
If it rainsPlazak, CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia CommonsMatchless Mine
Attraction
In town
Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Plazak, CC BY 3.0 (commons)
More in LeadvilleGo with a guide
- Mineral Belt Trail Guided WalkRoamze · $25 per person · 24 mi away
- Arrowhead Point Campground and Cabins11 mi away
- Salt CreekHiking2.6 mi
- Buffalo Springs CampgroundCamping4.1 mi
- Davis MeadowHiking5.1 mi
- The Three AmigosRock climbing5.7 mi
South Fork South Platte RiverCanoeingPhoto: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)5.7 mi- Tumble Creek CutoffHiking6.1 mi
- The WallRock climbing6.3 mi
- Mushroom Gulch Site 3Camping8.6 mi
Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)
Bacon Bits TrailHiking · ~18 min drivePhoto: Nholifield, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
North TrailHiking · ~18 min drivePhoto: JenTravelsLife, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)- Salt CreekHiking · ~4 min drive
- East Buffalo PeakHiking · ~11 min drive
- Unchained TrailHiking · ~18 min drivePhoto: Nholifield, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
Crank n' Hammer TrailHiking · ~19 min drivePhoto: cogdogblog, Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)- Davis MeadowHiking · ~9 min drive
- West Buffalo PeakHiking · ~11 min drive
- Sausage Link TrailHiking · ~19 min drivePhoto: cogdogblog, Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)
- Ridgeview Spur Trail 656.AHiking · ~15 min drive
Best time to visit Mcquaid
Best months: June–August. 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.
Jan
32° / -4°
4 wet
Feb
34° / -1°
4 wet
Mar
42° / 10°
5 wet
Apr
49° / 19°
6 wet
May
59° / 27°
7 wet
Jun
70° / 34°
7 wet
Jul
76° / 41°
11 wet
Aug
73° / 39°
12 wet
Sep
67° / 30°
7 wet
Oct
55° / 19°
5 wet
Nov
42° / 9°
4 wet
Dec
32° / -2°
4 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Antero Rsvr, CO, 6.7 mi away at 8,939 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.
