Colorado · Hiking

Upper Upper Loop

Upper Upper LoopPhoto: Kyle Watson Photography, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
3.8 mi
round trip
315 ft
climb
9,394 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Aug
best months

Is Upper Upper Loop open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Upper Upper Loop is a moderate out-and-back hike in Colorado's Gunnison Ranger District, part of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. The trail runs about 3.8 miles round trip, with a one-way gain of about 315 feet, and it starts at the Whetstone Vista Trailhead, which sits about 1.2 miles from the town of Crested Butte. The trail is on natural surface and allows both horses and bikes. It is a short, steady climb from the low point of about 9,070 feet to the high point of about 9,394 feet. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Crested Butte show July highs around 76°F with lows near 40°F, while winter brings highs in the mid-20s and lows below zero. The trail is open year-round. The High Times climbing area and the Tony's ski touring route both lie about 0.1 mile from the trail. Crested Butte RV Resort is about 1.9 miles away, and the Slate River offers paddling about 2.5 miles off.

Go with a guide

  • Best time to go · Jun–Aug

    Best time to visit Upper Upper Loop

    Best months: June–August. 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° / -7°

      12 wet

    2. Feb

      29° / -2°

      11 wet

    3. Mar

      38° / 7°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      47° / 19°

      9 wet

    5. May

      58° / 28°

      8 wet

    6. Jun

      70° / 34°

      7 wet

    7. Jul

      76° / 40°

      10 wet

    8. Aug

      74° / 38°

      12 wet

    9. Sep

      66° / 31°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      54° / 22°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      39° / 9°

      9 wet

    12. Dec

      27° / -4°

      11 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Crested Butte, CO, 1.2 mi away at 8,867 ft. The station sits about 500 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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