Colorado · Hiking
Hiking in Red Cliff, Colorado
Red Cliff sits at the bottom of a steep canyon along the Eagle River, wedged between the White River National Forest and some of the most varied hiking terrain in the central Rockies.
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View on mapHiking · 96 spots
Red Cliff sits at the bottom of a steep canyon along the Eagle River, wedged between the White River National Forest and some of the most varied hiking terrain in the central Rockies. From here, you can walk easy gravel roads like Hornsilver and Lime Creek Road on a casual morning, or commit to a full-day push up to the Mount of the Holy Cross via trail #2009 or the Notch Mountain Trail #2000, which puts you across the valley from the cross-shaped snowfield that gave the peak its name. The Halo Ridge Trail earns its hard rating with sustained elevation gain and exposed ridgeline walking. For something in between, Missouri Lakes #2003 and Cleveland Lake #2125 both reach genuine alpine lake basins without requiring technical skills. With 96 active listings in the area, the trail network spreads across multiple drainages including Taylor Gulch, Yoder Gulch, Jones Gulch, and the East Fork Eagle corridor, so you can string together routes or find a quiet corner even on busy summer weekends. Colorado Trail Segment 8 also passes through this zone, giving through-hikers and day-trippers alike a well-marked spine to work from. Most trailheads are accessed via forest roads, so knowing your vehicle's clearance matters before you commit to a route.
Frequently asked questions
When is the hiking season around Red Cliff?
Lower trails like Hornsilver and Lime Creek Road are typically snow-free by late May. Higher routes such as Mount of the Holy Cross #2009 and Notch Mountain #2000 usually don't open up until late June or early July, and can see snow again by October. Check conditions before heading to any trail above treeline, since the snowpack in this part of the White River National Forest lingers well into summer.
Do I need a high-clearance vehicle to reach the trailheads?
Several access points here are forest roads, and the quality varies. Ptarmigan Road and Hanks Gulch Road are rated easy and are generally passable in a standard passenger car when dry. Pearl Creek Jeep and some of the spur roads like Tigiwon Spur 3A and Tigiwon Sale Spur 2D are a different story and are better suited to high-clearance 4WD vehicles. Check current road conditions with the Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District before driving in.
What skill level do most of these hikes require?
The range is wide. Hornsilver, Hornsilver Spur, and Lime Creek Road are listed as easy and work well for families or anyone warming up to altitude. Mount of the Holy Cross #2009 is rated moderate but covers significant elevation gain and distance, so solid fitness matters. Halo Ridge Trail is rated hard and involves exposed terrain where weather can change fast. Most of the gulch and road-based routes fall somewhere in the middle.
What gear should I bring for a day hike out of Red Cliff?
Red Cliff sits around 8,600 feet, and most trails climb well above that, so altitude is a real factor even on moderate routes. Bring layers you can add and remove, since afternoon thunderstorms are common from July through August and temperatures drop quickly above treeline. Waterproof boots are worth it on trails that cross drainages like Taylor Gulch or East Fork Eagle. Trekking poles help on the steeper descents, especially on Halo Ridge.
Is the Colorado Trail accessible from Red Cliff, and can I connect it to other routes?
Yes, Colorado Trail Segment 8 passes through this area and is one of the better-marked trails in the network. It can be combined with other local trails for longer loops, and it connects to the broader CT system if you want to extend your trip. Day hikers typically pick a section rather than walking the full segment, which covers varied terrain including forested stretches and open ridgeline.
