Colorado · Hiking · Near Telluride

Sunshine

SunshinePhoto: dougandme, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
3.5 mi
round trip
2,475 ft
climb
9,587 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Jul, Sep
best months

Is Sunshine open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. It doesn't name Sunshine, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Sunshine is a moderate hike of about 3.5 miles in the Norwood Ranger District of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests in Colorado, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is an out-and-back with a total climb of about 2,475 feet, from a low point of roughly 8,383 feet to a high of about 9,587 feet. The steepest stretch comes around mile 1.1, where the grade reaches about 24%. The trail is on natural surface and allows both horses and bikes. Sunshine Campground sits about 0.1 mile away, and the Magic Meadows Spur mountain biking route is just as close. The Magic Meadows hike is about 0.3 mile off, and the South Fork San Miguel River offers canoeing about 0.8 mile away. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Telluride, which sits about 940 feet lower than the trail's high point, show July highs around 77°F with lows near 41°F, while winter highs stay in the mid-30s.

Around this trail

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

    Sunshine Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 0.1 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Siam

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 5 mi
  • If it rains

    Little Hawaii Grotto

    Attraction

    In town

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Telluride

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Jun–Jul, Sep

    Best time to visit Sunshine

    Best months: June–July 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

      36° / 0°

      10 wet

    2. Feb

      38° / 5°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      44° / 13°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      51° / 22°

      9 wet

    5. May

      60° / 29°

      9 wet

    6. Jun

      73° / 34°

      7 wet

    7. Jul

      77° / 41°

      12 wet

    8. Aug

      74° / 40°

      15 wet

    9. Sep

      68° / 34°

      11 wet

    10. Oct

      57° / 23°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      45° / 13°

      8 wet

    12. Dec

      36° / 2°

      9 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Telluride 4wnw, CO, 4.3 mi away at 8,646 ft. The station sits about 900 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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