Colorado · Hiking · Near Leadville

Slim Jim

3.7 mi
round trip
896 ft
climb
10,242 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Aug
best months

Is Slim Jim 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.

Slim Jim is a 3.7-mile out-and-back hike in the Sopris Ranger District of White River National Forest in Colorado, managed by the Forest Service. The trail begins at the Eagle Lake Trailhead, where parking is also available. The route starts at about 9,382 feet and climbs to a high point of about 10,242 feet, for a total one-way gain of about 896 feet. The trail is rated moderate. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show July highs around 73°F with lows near 39°F, and June and August are similar. That station sits about 500 feet below the trail, so temperatures on the route run slightly cooler. Horses are allowed on this trail, and the surface is natural. Bikes are not. The trail is open year-round. Eagle Lake lies just 0.1 mile from the trailhead. The Exit Wall and The Schoolyard climbing areas are both within about a mile and a half, and Elk Wallow Campground is about 5.5 miles away.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Fulford Cave Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 4.9 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    La Mina Tacos Y Mariscos

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 22 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Craig Talbert, CC BY 3.0 (commons)

More in Leadville

Go with a guide

  • Best time to go · Jun–Aug

    Best time to visit Slim Jim

    Best months: June–August. 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

      31° / 3°

      8 wet

    2. Feb

      33° / 3°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      39° / 9°

      8 wet

    4. Apr

      44° / 18°

      8 wet

    5. May

      55° / 27°

      9 wet

    6. Jun

      68° / 34°

      9 wet

    7. Jul

      73° / 39°

      12 wet

    8. Aug

      70° / 38°

      12 wet

    9. Sep

      62° / 31°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      51° / 23°

      6 wet

    11. Nov

      39° / 14°

      7 wet

    12. Dec

      31° / 6°

      7 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Sugarloaf Rsvr, CO, 18.7 mi away at 9,738 ft. The station sits about 500 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.