Colorado · Hiking

Surprise Trail

4.8 mi
round trip
1,327 ft
climb
9,925 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Jul
best months

Is Surprise 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.

Surprise Trail is a 4.8-mile out-and-back hike in the Dillon Ranger District of Colorado's White River National Forest, about 2.5 miles from the town of Heeney. The trail rises from a low point of 8,588 feet to a high of 9,925 feet, a climb of 1,327 feet one way, and it is rated moderate. The trail is on natural surface and is open to horses. Bikes are not allowed. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Dillon run to highs around 75°F in July, with lows near 38°F. That station sits about 860 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the summit run cooler. The trailhead is called Surprise Trailhead, and the parking is labeled SURPRISE. The trail is open year-round. Cataract Creek Campground is just 0.2 miles away, and the Lower Cataract Lake Loop #57 fishing spot is 0.3 miles off. The Eaglesmere Trail and the Cataract Lake Loop are both within about a mile.

Go with a guide

  • Best time to go · Jun–Jul

    Best time to visit Surprise Trail

    Best months: June–July. 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° / 1°

      12 wet

    2. Feb

      33° / 4°

      11 wet

    3. Mar

      41° / 10°

      11 wet

    4. Apr

      47° / 18°

      11 wet

    5. May

      58° / 26°

      10 wet

    6. Jun

      69° / 33°

      9 wet

    7. Jul

      75° / 38°

      12 wet

    8. Aug

      73° / 37°

      13 wet

    9. Sep

      66° / 30°

      10 wet

    10. Oct

      54° / 21°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      41° / 11°

      9 wet

    12. Dec

      32° / 3°

      11 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Dillon 1 E, CO, 20.7 mi away at 9,065 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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