Colorado · Hiking

Special Use

4.1 mi
round trip
902 ft
climb
9,256 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Is Special Use 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.

Special Use is a moderate out-and-back hike on natural trail surface in the Blanco Ranger District of Colorado's White River National Forest. The trail starts at the Snell Creek Trailhead and stretches about 4 miles to a high point of 9,256 feet, with an elevation gain of about 900 feet one way. Horses are allowed on this route, and bikes are not. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail stays open year-round. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the nearby Yampa weather station run to highs around 79°F in July, with September still near 70°F. That station sits well below the trail's high point, so temperatures up top run cooler. Picket Pin Lily Pond is about 2 miles away, and the North Fork White River offers canoeing a little farther out. For an overnight stay, Himes Peak Campground is about 5 miles off.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Special Use

    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, 23.7 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.