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Colorado
8.9 mi
Distance
1,954 ft
Gain
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
Access via CO 12: Cucharas Pass
Road status feeds from the state DOT 511 network.
State DOT 511 · 28 d ago
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Why you'll love it
Schafer
AI-suggested draft · review before you go
The Schafer Trail is a 4.5-mile loop located in Colorado near the San Juan National Forest's Gunnison Ranger District. This moderate loop hike offers a solid day-hike option for visitors exploring the San Juan Mountains region. The trail is maintained by the US Forest Service through the Gunnison Ranger District, ensuring reliable trail conditions throughout the season. The loop format makes this an efficient choice for hikers seeking a self-contained route without the need for shuttle arrangements or backtracking. The trail traverses terrain typical of the San Juan National Forest, providing access to the area's natural landscape and forest ecosystems. The Schafer Trail is managed by the San Juan National Forest, one of Colorado's primary public lands offering diverse recreational opportunities. Hikers should check current trail conditions with the Gunnison Ranger District before visiting, as mountain weather and seasonal snow can affect accessibility. This trail serves as a reliable option for day hikers based in central Colorado seeking mountain hiking experiences in the San Juan range.
West Peak
~2 min drive
5.4 mi · Moderate
Cordova Pass Road
~4 min drive
10 mi · Hard
Mosca Pass
~1h 3m drive
<p>Just above the dunefield are forests of aspen, pine, fir, and spruce. The easiest hiking access to forest in the national park is in Mosca Pass, on the Montville Nature Trail and Mosca Pass Trail. On these trails, you are walking in the footsteps of Pleistocene mammoth hunt…
Medano Creek
~1h 4m drive
<p>Medano Creek is a popular seasonal stream enjoyed by all ages. On this page you'll learn what to expect month-by-month in an average year, and how the rare phenomon 'surge flow' works. You can also link to <a href="https://www.nps.gov/grsa/planyourvisit/medano-creek.htm">cu…
Levi Krier
~2 min drive
9.3 mi · Moderate
Apishapa
~5 min drive
6.6 mi · Hard
Lake Shore Ada
~1h 15m drive
0.6 mi · Easy
High Dune on First Ridge
~1h 6m drive
The high dune on the first ridge is neither the highest in elevation nor the tallest in the dunefield, but it looks that way from the main parking lot. This is the most common destination in the dunefield, providing a great view of the entire dunefield. It is about 692 feet (2…
Zapata
~53 min drive
3.7 mi · Moderate
Dikes
~5 min drive
6.6 mi · Hard
