Colorado · Hiking

Santa Fe Nat Hist

5.6 mi
round trip
205 ft
climb
5,045 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Apr–May, Sep–Oct
best months

Is Santa Fe Nat Hist open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 7 alerts for Pike and San Isabel National Forests.

As of · Source: USFS · Pike and San Isabel National Forests. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Santa Fe Nat Hist is a moderate out-and-back hike in Colorado's Pike and San Isabel National Forests, on the Comanche Ranger District. It is a 5.6-mile trip with a 205-foot elevation gain, climbing from a low of about 4,840 feet to a high of about 5,045 feet. The trail is natural-surfaced and open to horses and bikes. It is not an accessible trail, and the Forest Service manages the land. Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show October highs around 71°F with lows near 33°F, and May highs around 78°F. That station sits about 660 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the route run cooler. The hike is open year-round, and the trail's alternatives, Sfnht Alt. Route C and Sfnht Alt. Route B, are within about a mile and a half. Timpas Creek, a canoeing route, is about 7 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Apr–May, Sep–Oct

    Best time to visit Santa Fe Nat Hist

    Best months: April–May and September–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

      47° / 13°

      5 wet

    2. Feb

      51° / 16°

      5 wet

    3. Mar

      61° / 23°

      6 wet

    4. Apr

      68° / 32°

      7 wet

    5. May

      78° / 43°

      8 wet

    6. Jun

      89° / 53°

      8 wet

    7. Jul

      94° / 60°

      10 wet

    8. Aug

      91° / 57°

      9 wet

    9. Sep

      84° / 48°

      6 wet

    10. Oct

      71° / 33°

      5 wet

    11. Nov

      57° / 22°

      5 wet

    12. Dec

      47° / 13°

      5 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at La Junta 17 Wsw, CO, 14.7 mi away at 4,386 ft. The station sits about 700 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.

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