Colorado · Hiking · Near Clifton

Traverse

TraversePhoto: KimonBerlin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
2.1 mi
round trip
28 ft
climb
10,824 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Sep
best months

Is Traverse open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. It doesn't name Traverse, 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.

Traverse is a short, easy hike of about 2 miles in the Grand Valley Ranger District of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests in western Colorado. The trail runs out and back from the County Line Winter Trailhead, and the route gains only about 28 feet of elevation over its short length, making it a gentle walk that pairs well with a longer outing in the surrounding area. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail's natural surface suits hikers, cyclists and riders. It's open from about May 1 through mid-November, so plan your visit for spring or fall. For the most comfortable conditions, aim for July, when typical averages from a nearby weather station run to highs around 68°F and lows near 42°F. That station sits nearly 1,000 feet lower than the trail, so temperatures on the Traverse run cooler. Scales Glade, a cross-country ski area, lies just 0.1 mile away, and the County Line Ski Scales Glade mountain biking route is about 0.2 mile off. For an overnight stay, Island Lake Campground is roughly a mile away and Little Bear Campground is about 1.7 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Island Lake Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 1.0 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Slopeside cafe

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 7 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY-SA 3.0 (commons)

More in Clifton

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Jun–Sep

    Best time to visit Traverse

    Best months: June–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

      26° / 6°

    2. Feb

      27° / 4°

    3. Mar

      34° / 12°

    4. Apr

      40° / 17°

    5. May

      49° / 27°

    6. Jun

      62° / 37°

    7. Jul

      68° / 42°

    8. Aug

      64° / 40°

    9. Sep

      57° / 34°

    10. Oct

      45° / 24°

    11. Nov

      34° / 14°

    12. Dec

      26° / 5°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Bonham Rsvr, CO, 8.3 mi away at 9,852 ft. The station sits about 1,000 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.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

OverlookPhoto: KimonBerlin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Overlook

~1 min drive

3.96-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 38 ft elevation gain.

Palisade PlungePhoto: KimonBerlin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Palisade Plunge

~2 min drive

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County Line ConnectorPhoto: KimonBerlin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

County Line Connector

~2 min drive

County Line Connector is a 1.02-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 31 feet of elevation gain.

Scales LakePhoto: Tony Webster, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Scales Lake

~3 min drive

4.45-mile out-and-back to Scales Lake in Colorado, 2,040 ft gain.

Mesa TopPhoto: KimonBerlin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Mesa Top

~2 min drive

15.47-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado reaching 10,739 ft.

Crag to CobbettPhoto: iagoarchangel, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Crag to Cobbett

~3 min drive

1.95-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 13 ft gain.

Island LakePhoto: ecksunderscore, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Island Lake

~4 min drive

3.02-mile out-and-back trail to Island Lake in Colorado with 53 ft of elevation gain.

GRIFFITH SKI LOOPPhoto: Moo.The.Cow, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

GRIFFITH SKI LOOP

~3 min drive

13.2-mile out-and-back ski out-and-back in Colorado with 1,960 ft elevation gain and loss.

Scotland Cutoff TrailPhoto: KimonBerlin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Scotland Cutoff Trail

~3 min drive

0.84-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 184 ft elevation gain.

CottonwoodPhoto: iagoarchangel, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Cottonwood

~5 min drive

3.44-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 60 ft elevation gain.