Colorado · Hiking · Flat Tops Wilderness · Near Glenwood Springs

South Fork

4.9 mi
round trip
179 ft
climb
9,254 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Is South Fork 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.

South Fork is a 4.9-mile moderate hike in the Flat Tops Wilderness, part of the Blanco Ranger District of White River National Forest in Colorado. The nearest town is Buford, about 17 miles away, and the Forest Service manages the surrounding land. The trail is an out-and-back, with the low point at about 9,083 feet and the high at about 9,254 feet. The climb is roughly 180 feet of elevation gain, so the route stays close to that range throughout. The trail surface is natural, and the Forest Service allows horses but not bikes. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the nearby Yampa weather station put July highs around 79°F with lows near 46°F, while winter highs stay around 32°F. That station sits well below the trail, so temperatures on the ridge run cooler. Nichols Creek and Doe Creek are both within a mile, the South Fork White River is about 1.2 miles away for canoeing, and Deep Lake Campground lies about 8 miles off.

Around this trail

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

    Deep Lake Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 7.7 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Culver's

    Fast food

    On your way back · 22 mi · Open after 6

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Glenwood Springs

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit South Fork

    Best months: May–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° / 7°

      12 wet

    2. Feb

      34° / 9°

      11 wet

    3. Mar

      43° / 17°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      52° / 24°

      11 wet

    5. May

      62° / 33°

      10 wet

    6. Jun

      74° / 40°

      8 wet

    7. Jul

      79° / 46°

      10 wet

    8. Aug

      77° / 45°

      11 wet

    9. Sep

      70° / 37°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      57° / 27°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      42° / 17°

      9 wet

    12. Dec

      32° / 8°

      11 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Yampa, CO, 29 mi away at 7,857 ft. The station sits about 1,400 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.