Colorado · Hiking

Sage Hen Loop

24.6 mi
round trip
716 ft
climb
7,721 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Apr–Jun, Aug–Oct
best months

Is Sage Hen Loop open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in San Juan National Forest. It doesn't name Sage Hen Loop, so check the source for the area it covers (3 listed).

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

Sage Hen Loop is a 24.6-mile out-and-back hike in the Mancos/Dolores Ranger District of Colorado's San Juan National Forest, managed by the Forest Service. The trail gains about 716 feet of elevation over its length, from a low point of 6,941 feet to a high of 7,721 feet, and the route is rated hard. The trail's natural surface is open to both horses and bikes. The Sage Hen Mountain Bike Loop Trailhead serves as the parking for the trip, and the trail stays open from May 1 through December 1. Late spring and early fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station run to highs around 69°F in May and 75°F in September, while July highs average about 86°F and January highs sit near 40°F. Sage Hen Cutoff lies about a mile away, and House Creek Boating Site and House Creek Campground are each about 1.4 miles off. McPhee Recreation Complex is roughly 2.4 miles from the trail.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Apr–Jun, Aug–Oct

    Best time to visit Sage Hen Loop

    Best months: April–June and August–October. 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

      40° / 17°

    2. Feb

      42° / 19°

    3. Mar

      51° / 27°

    4. Apr

      60° / 33°

    5. May

      69° / 40°

    6. Jun

      81° / 50°

    7. Jul

      86° / 55°

    8. Aug

      83° / 55°

    9. Sep

      75° / 47°

    10. Oct

      63° / 36°

    11. Nov

      50° / 26°

    12. Dec

      40° / 18°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Yellow Jacket 4ne, CO, 6.5 mi away at 7,090 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.