Moonlight

Moonlight is an easy out-and-back hike in Colorado's Gunnison Ranger District, part of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. The trail is about 2.6 miles long, with a one-way elevation gain of 440 feet, and it rises from a low point of 8,284 feet to a high of 8,833 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route is open year-round. The trail is natural-surfaced and allows both horses and bikes, so it works for riders and pack animals as well as hikers. The climb is gentle, and the route is short enough to fit into a day of exploring the surrounding area. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the nearby Taylor Park weather station, at a similar elevation, show July highs around 72°F with lows near 42°F, while winter highs stay in the 20s and low 30s. Cougar Canyon lies just 0.3 miles away, and Harmels Point is 0.8 miles off. Granite Tent Campground and the Parking Lot Wall climbing area are both about 1.1 miles from the trail.