Colorado · Hiking

Zig Zag

Zig ZagPhoto: oc14me, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
3.7 mi
round trip
949 ft
climb
8,374 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Zig Zag is a 3.7-mile out-and-back hike in Colorado's Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests, on the Thunder Basin National Grassland. It rises from 7,414 feet to 8,374 feet, a climb of about 950 feet, and is rated moderate. The trail is on natural surface and allows bikes, so you can ride it as well as walk it. It's open year-round, and the nearest town is Steamboat Springs, about 2.5 miles away. Summer and early fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Steamboat Springs show July highs around 83°F with lows near 46°F, and September highs in the mid-70s. That station sits about 1,500 feet below the hike, so temperatures on the trail run cooler. Wrangler's Gulch Trail and Why Not Road both start about 0.1 mile away. For climbing, Blob Rock is roughly 1.7 miles off, and Dry Lake Campground is about 5 miles away for an overnight stay.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Zig Zag

    Best months: May–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

      29° / 5°

      14 wet

    2. Feb

      34° / 8°

      13 wet

    3. Mar

      45° / 18°

      11 wet

    4. Apr

      54° / 27°

      12 wet

    5. May

      65° / 34°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      76° / 39°

      9 wet

    7. Jul

      83° / 46°

      9 wet

    8. Aug

      82° / 44°

      11 wet

    9. Sep

      74° / 36°

      10 wet

    10. Oct

      59° / 26°

      9 wet

    11. Nov

      43° / 16°

      11 wet

    12. Dec

      30° / 6°

      14 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Steamboat Springs, CO, 2.5 mi away at 6,866 ft. The station sits about 1,500 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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