Walden
- 2.2 mi
- round trip
- 105 ft
- climb
- 9,629 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- Jun–Jul
- best months
Is Walden open right now?
Alert in the area
The Forest Service lists 6 alerts for White River National Forest.
FSR 286, Radical Hill, is closed due to washouts and unsafe conditions
Agency alert covering White River National Forest · USFS · White River National Forest
Limited parking at Snowmass Creek Trailhead
Agency alert covering White River National Forest · USFS · White River National Forest
Grizzly Creek Trail Closure
Agency alert covering White River National Forest · Order 2026-02 · USFS · White River National Forest
Ruedi Marina Day Use area Dump Station is CLOSED
Agency alert covering White River National Forest · USFS · White River National Forest
Asbestos safety closure - Camp Hale
Agency alert covering White River National Forest · USFS · White River National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · White River National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Walden is an easy, out-and-back hike of about 2.2 miles in the Dillon Ranger District of White River National Forest in Colorado, managed by the Forest Service. The trail rises about 105 feet from a low point of 9,284 feet to a high of 9,629 feet. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Dillon show July highs around 75°F with lows near 38°F, while winter highs stay around freezing. The trail is natural-surfaced and allows both bikes and horses. Mo-Wutch and Pasque, two mountain biking routes, sit about 0.3 miles away. Heaton Bay Campground is about 1.7 miles off, and Old Dillon Reservoir #87 is about 1.8 miles away.
Go with a guide
- Mineral Belt Trail Guided WalkRoamze · $25 per person · 27 mi away
- Lostfork Basecamp26 mi away
Best time to go · Jun–Jul
Best time to visit Walden
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.
Jan
31° / 1°
12 wet
Feb
33° / 4°
11 wet
Mar
41° / 10°
11 wet
Apr
47° / 18°
11 wet
May
58° / 26°
10 wet
Jun
69° / 33°
9 wet
Jul
75° / 38°
12 wet
Aug
73° / 37°
13 wet
Sep
66° / 30°
10 wet
Oct
54° / 21°
8 wet
Nov
41° / 11°
9 wet
Dec
32° / 3°
11 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Dillon 1 E, CO, 3.8 mi away at 9,065 ft. The station sits about 600 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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Also worth it near here
Pasque
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Buffalo Cabin Trail
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SEE
Giberson Bay Fishing Site
~3 min drive
Heaton Bay Picnic Site
~3 min drive