Pot O Gold

Pot O Gold is a moderate out-and-back hike in Colorado's Pike and San Isabel National Forests, on the Salida Ranger District. The route starts at about 8,058 feet and climbs to a high point of 9,013 feet, with a total elevation gain of 476 feet on the one-way stretch. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is accessible and carries horses. The most comfortable months for a visit are typically June through September, when typical averages from a nearby weather station in Sargents run from highs around 76°F in June to about 73°F in September. That station sits roughly 550 feet below the trail, so temperatures up high run cooler. The trail stays open from March 15 through November 1. For more time on the mountain, the Rainbow Trail and Double Rainbow Trail for mountain biking lie about a mile away. Riverside RV Park and Four Seasons RV Park, both about 3 to 4 miles off, offer camping.