Colorado · Hiking · Eagles Nest Wilderness

Slate Creek Trail

8.9 mi
round trip
1,784 ft
climb
10,853 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun, Sep
best months

Is Slate Creek Trail 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.

Slate Creek Trail is a hard hike in Colorado's Eagles Nest Wilderness, part of the Dillon Ranger District of the White River National Forest. The trail is an out-and-back of about 8.9 miles, with a one-way elevation gain of 1,784 feet, taking you from a low point of about 9,064 feet to a high of about 10,853 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is on natural surface. Horses are allowed, but bikes are not. The trail is open year-round. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Cabin Creek, which sits about 830 feet lower than the trail's high point, show July highs around 69°F with lows near 46°F, while winter highs stay around freezing. The Lower/Upper Slate Lakes #65 fishing area is just 0.1 mile away, and Kirkwood Ditch Access and Alderline Property Access are both within about a mile and a half. Blue River Campground, about 4.3 miles off, is the closest place to camp.

Go with a guide

  • Best time to go · Jun, Sep

    Best time to visit Slate Creek Trail

    Best months: June and September. 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

      32° / 12°

      8 wet

    2. Feb

      31° / 11°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      38° / 17°

      9 wet

    4. Apr

      43° / 23°

      10 wet

    5. May

      53° / 31°

      9 wet

    6. Jun

      64° / 40°

      9 wet

    7. Jul

      69° / 46°

      13 wet

    8. Aug

      67° / 44°

      14 wet

    9. Sep

      61° / 38°

      10 wet

    10. Oct

      50° / 29°

      7 wet

    11. Nov

      39° / 19°

      7 wet

    12. Dec

      32° / 12°

      8 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Cabin Creek, CO, 26.9 mi away at 10,020 ft. The station sits about 800 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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