Colorado · Hiking · Near Glenwood Springs

Zig Zag

1.1 mi
round trip
718 ft
climb
8,376 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Sep
best months

Is Zig Zag open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 6 alerts for White River National Forest.

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

Zig Zag is a short, easy out-and-back hike in the Rifle Ranger District of Colorado's White River National Forest, about a mile from the trailhead. The route rises from 7,654 feet to 8,376 feet, a climb of 718 feet, and is rated easy. The trail is natural-surfaced and accessible, and it allows horses. Bikes are not permitted. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is open year-round. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station run to highs around 68°F in July and 64°F in August, with lows in the low 40s. That station sits about 1,500 feet below the trail, so temperatures on the route run cooler. The Fortress of Solitude climbing area is about half a mile away, and Hadley Gulch and Burro Wall are within a mile. Elk Creek Campground is about 6 miles off.

Around this trail

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

    Elk Creek Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 6.0 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Elk Creek Bar & Grill

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 8 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Glenwood Springs

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Jun–Sep

    Best time to visit Zig Zag

    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, 44.2 mi away at 9,852 ft. The station sits about 1,500 ft higher than this place, so expect it a little warmer here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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