Colorado · Hiking

School House

School HousePhoto: Sale Family Memories, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
5.3 mi
round trip
1,667 ft
climb
10,321 ft
high point
Out and back
route

Is School House open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in San Juan National Forest. It doesn't name School House, 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.

School House is a hard hike in Colorado's San Juan National Forest, within the Mancos/Dolores Ranger District. The trail is about 5 miles long, with an elevation gain of roughly 1,667 feet from the low point of 8,175 feet to the high point of 10,321 feet, and it's an out-and-back route. The trail surface is natural, and it is open to both horses and bikes. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trip runs from June 1 through October 31. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Silverton show July highs around 75°F with lows near 38°F, while winter brings highs in the mid-30s and lows below zero. Section House and Rio Lado both lie within about a mile of the trail, and Hillside Drive in San Juan National Forest, a climbing area, is about 4 miles away. West Dolores Campground is roughly 9 miles off.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go

    Best time to visit School House

    No month here meets our mild-weather rule. 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

      34° / -6°

      9 wet

    2. Feb

      36° / -3°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      43° / 6°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      48° / 17°

      9 wet

    5. May

      58° / 25°

      9 wet

    6. Jun

      70° / 31°

      7 wet

    7. Jul

      75° / 38°

      13 wet

    8. Aug

      72° / 37°

      15 wet

    9. Sep

      66° / 30°

      12 wet

    10. Oct

      55° / 20°

      9 wet

    11. Nov

      43° / 7°

      8 wet

    12. Dec

      34° / -5°

      9 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Silverton, CO, 29 mi away at 9,285 ft. The station sits about 1,000 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.