Colorado · Mountain biking · Trails near 39.0°N 108.0°W · Near Clifton

Tower

2.5 mi
distance
35 ft
climb
Jun–Sep
best months

Caution at last check

Agency alerts are in effect for this area; weather is marginal · USFS, OpenWeather · checked 20 h ago

Is Tower open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Tower is a short ride on the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests, within the Grand Valley Ranger District in western Colorado. The Forest Service manages the land, and the ride starts at about 10,830 feet, rising to a high point of about 10,835 feet over 2.5 miles. The climb is gentle, with a total gain of about 35 feet, and the steepest stretch comes around 1.2 miles in at about 5%. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical July averages from a nearby weather station run to a high of 68°F and a low of 42°F, while winter highs stay in the mid-20s and lows drop to around 5°F. County Line Ski Tower sits about 0.1 mile away, and County Line Ski Scales Glade is about 0.2 mile off. For an overnight stay, Island Lake Campground is about 0.9 mile away and Little Bear Campground about 1.4 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Island Lake Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 0.9 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Slopeside cafe

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 7 mi
  • If it rains

    Blue Pig

    Gallery

    On your way back · 18 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

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 Tower

    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 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.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors