Free — you'll pick up right here.

Watch this trail

Colorado

North Colony

6.2 mi

Distance

1,809 ft

Gain

No verdict for this trail

We won't guess. Here is exactly what we do and don't know.

What we do know

Inside Pike and San Isabel National Forests
2 managing-area boundaries mapped — agency alerts for them feed this page automatically.
Boundary data

What's missing

No access route mapped
We don't yet know which road reaches this trailhead, so we can't tell you if it's gated.

Nobody's filed a report here yet — be the first.

Why you'll love it

Big climb

Out & back

Here's your day, mapped

North Colony

AI-suggested draft · review before you go

Building your full AI plan…

Meals

Building your meal plan…

Gear for the day

Building your gear list…

Elevation & route

Distance: 6.2 mi
Elevation gain: 1,809 ft

More about this trail ↓

Photos

Directions & GPX

Get Directions

Permits & access

Managing agency: Forest Service

About this trail

North Colony Trail is a 6.2-mile out-and-back hike located in Colorado near the San Juan National Forest, managed by the Gunnison Ranger District. The trail offers a moderate day hiking experience in the Colorado wilderness. The out-and-back route allows hikers to turn back at any point, making it adaptable for various fitness levels and time constraints. Hikers can complete the full 6.2-mile distance or explore a shorter section depending on their preferences and conditions. The trail accesses the San Juan National Forest, a vast area known for its diverse terrain and mountain scenery. The Gunnison Ranger District manages this trail as part of the broader national forest recreational network. Visitors should check with the Gunnison Ranger District for current trail conditions, any seasonal closures, and specific regulations before planning their visit. Weather in the Colorado high country can change rapidly, so proper preparation is essential year-round.

Add to a trip & share

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Sand Creek Basin

~9 min drive

<p>Sand Creek Basin is part of the alpine watershed of Great Sand Dunes National Preserve. A longer drive and hike is required to reach these lakes and peaks, but the mountain scenery is worth the effort. Check with a ranger for conditions before travel. Snow may block these t…

Hidden Dune

~27 min drive

Hidden Dune is currently tied with Star Dune as the two tallest dunes in North America at 741 feet/225 m. Hidden Dune is named for its remote location in the dunefield, where it is not visible from most of the main visitor day use areas. It is even hidden from much of the high…

Horn Peak

~6 min drive

6.6 mi · Hard

Broken Hand Pass

~8 min drive

An 8.16-mile expert out-and-back trail in Colorado with talus terrain, connecting to Crestone Needle's standard route.

Humboldt

~7 min drive

2.7 mi · Easy

Medano Pass

~20 min drive

<p>Medano Pass was likely the historic route used by Zebulon Pike in January 1807 as he led an expedition to explore this region. Today Medano Pass is primarily traveled by 4WD vehicle, on a rough 22-mile road connecting Great Sand Dunes with the Wet Mountain Valley and Colora…

Macey

~4 min drive

7.4 mi · Hard

Comanche

~10 min drive

10 mi · Moderate

South Colony

~7 min drive

4.3 mi · Easy

South Colony Road

~5 min drive

A 12.66-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado linking to South Colony Spur and Humboldt Peak Trailhead.