Colorado · Hiking

River Run

3.1 mi
round trip
184 ft
climb
9,722 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Aug
best months

Is River Run open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 6 alerts for White River National Forest.

As of · Source: USFS · White River National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

River Run is a 3.1-mile out-and-back hike in the Aspen Ranger District of White River National Forest in Colorado, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is rated moderate, with a total elevation gain of 184 feet, and it runs on natural surface. The route starts at about 9,450 feet and climbs to about 9,722 feet. Bikes and horses are not allowed, so plan on walking. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the nearby Crested Butte weather station show July highs around 76°F with lows near 40°F, and the station sits about 855 feet lower than the trail, so temperatures on the hike run cooler. Cathedral Lake and Cathedral Peak both lie about 0.4 miles away. Pearl Pass Dispersed Campground is about 1.4 miles off, and Castle Creek offers canoeing about 5 miles away.

Go with a guide

  • Best time to go · Jun–Aug

    Best time to visit River Run

    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.

    1. Jan

      26° / -7°

      12 wet

    2. Feb

      29° / -2°

      11 wet

    3. Mar

      38° / 7°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      47° / 19°

      9 wet

    5. May

      58° / 28°

      8 wet

    6. Jun

      70° / 34°

      7 wet

    7. Jul

      76° / 40°

      10 wet

    8. Aug

      74° / 38°

      12 wet

    9. Sep

      66° / 31°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      54° / 22°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      39° / 9°

      9 wet

    12. Dec

      27° / -4°

      11 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Crested Butte, CO, 14.5 mi away at 8,867 ft. The station sits about 900 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.