Colorado · Hiking

Tender Foot

7.7 mi
round trip
3,937 ft
climb
10,721 ft
high point
Out and back
route

Is Tender Foot open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in San Juan National Forest. It doesn't name Tender Foot, so check the source for the area it covers (3 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · San Juan National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Tender Foot is a hard hike in Colorado's San Juan National Forest, within the Mancos/Dolores Ranger District. The route is an out-and-back of about 7.7 miles, with a one-way elevation gain of 3,937 feet, taking you from a low point of 8,248 feet to a high of 10,721 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is natural-surfaced, with horses and bikes allowed. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the nearby Silverton weather station, which sits about 1,400 feet lower, show July highs around 75°F with lows near 38°F, while winter highs stay in the mid-30s and lows drop to around -6°F in January. The trail is open from June 1 to October 31. School House is about 1.6 miles away, and Lower Wildcat Trail and Rough Canyon Trail are each within about 2 miles. Climbers can find Carly Crag about 5 miles off.

  • Best time to go

    Best time to visit Tender Foot

    No month here meets our mild-weather rule. 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

      34° / -6°

      9 wet

    2. Feb

      36° / -3°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      43° / 6°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      48° / 17°

      9 wet

    5. May

      58° / 25°

      9 wet

    6. Jun

      70° / 31°

      7 wet

    7. Jul

      75° / 38°

      13 wet

    8. Aug

      72° / 37°

      15 wet

    9. Sep

      66° / 30°

      12 wet

    10. Oct

      55° / 20°

      9 wet

    11. Nov

      43° / 7°

      8 wet

    12. Dec

      34° / -5°

      9 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Silverton, CO, 27.4 mi away at 9,285 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.