Colorado · Cross-country skiing · Near Telluride

Beginner Loop

Beginner LoopPhoto: Doss Imaging, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
0.6 mi
distance
39 ft
climb
8,768 ft
high point
Easy
difficulty

Is Beginner Loop open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in San Juan National Forest. It doesn't name Beginner Loop, so check the source for the area it covers (3 listed).

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

Beginner Loop is an easy cross-country skiing route in the Columbine Ranger District of the San Juan National Forest in Colorado. The trail is short, about 0.6 miles, and has a total elevation gain of 39 feet. It starts at roughly 8,760 feet and reaches a high point of about 8,768 feet, so it's a nearly flat, low-elevation outing rather than a climb. The route is set up for skiers to move around the district's lower trails. The steepest stretch is near the start, about 0.12 miles in, where the grade reaches about 4 percent. Because the route is so short and the elevation change is small, it works well as a warm-up or a quick lap before heading elsewhere. Winter is the natural season for skiing here. Typical averages from the nearby Silverton weather station, at a similar elevation, show January highs around 34°F and lows near -6°F. Summer is much milder, with July highs around 75°F and lows near 38°F. Aspen Loop and Bench Loop are both about 0.2 miles away and make good companions. Climbers can head to the Hermosa Park Road Boulders, about 0.7 miles off, and paddlers can try Cascade Creek, about 3 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Sig Creek Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 4.2 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Durango Mountain Club

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 1 mi
  • If it rains

    Little Hawaii Grotto

    Attraction

    In town

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Telluride

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go

    Best time to visit Beginner Loop

    No month here meets our mild-weather rule. 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

      34° / -6°

      9 wet

    2. Feb

      36° / -3°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      43° / 6°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      48° / 17°

      9 wet

    5. May

      58° / 25°

      9 wet

    6. Jun

      70° / 31°

      7 wet

    7. Jul

      75° / 38°

      13 wet

    8. Aug

      72° / 37°

      15 wet

    9. Sep

      66° / 30°

      12 wet

    10. Oct

      55° / 20°

      9 wet

    11. Nov

      43° / 7°

      8 wet

    12. Dec

      34° / -5°

      9 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Silverton, CO, 14.5 mi away at 9,285 ft. The station sits about 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.

Keep exploring — more snow worth the drive

Aspen LoopPhoto: Doss Imaging, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Aspen Loop

Next door

Aspen Loop is a 0.31-mile trail in Colorado with 25 feet of elevation gain.

Bench LoopPhoto: Doss Imaging, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Bench Loop

Next door

0.87-mile loop in Colorado with 173 ft of elevation gain.

Deadmen'S LoopPhoto: Doss Imaging, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Deadmen'S Loop

Next door

0.71-mile loop in Colorado with 149 ft of elevation gain.

Campgrounds TrailPhoto: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Campgrounds Trail

~38 min drive

1.22-mile route in Colorado with 274 ft of elevation gain.

Silverton MountainPhoto: Zach Dischner, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Silverton Mountain

~32 min drive

Silverton Mountain in Colorado has 1 advanced downhill run with 714 ft vertical.

Silver Pick RoadPhoto: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Silver Pick Road

~34 min drive

Gentle 2.18-mile road-based ski tour in Colorado backcountry.

TrestlePhoto: Dean Silver, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Trestle

~23 min drive

2.55-mile cross-country ski trail in Colorado with 846 ft of elevation gain.

Fruit LoopPhoto: Doss Imaging, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Fruit Loop

Next door

0.72-mile cross-country ski trail in Colorado with 159 ft of elevation gain.

North LoopPhoto: Doss Imaging, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

North Loop

~1 min drive

North Loop is a 1.85-mile cross-country ski trail in Colorado with 227 feet of elevation gain.

North BeachPhoto: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

North Beach

~38 min drive

0.81-mile cross-country ski trail in Colorado with 224 ft of elevation gain.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors