Colorado · Cross-country skiing · Near Telluride

Bench Loop

Bench LoopPhoto: Doss Imaging, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
0.9 mi
distance
96 ft
climb
8,745 ft
high point
Moderate
difficulty

Is Bench Loop open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in San Juan National Forest. It doesn't name Bench 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.

Bench Loop is a cross-country ski route in the Columbine Ranger District of the San Juan National Forest in Colorado, about 0.87 miles long. It is a moderate outing, with a total climb of 96 feet and a total descent of 190 feet over the course of the route. The steepest stretch comes at about 0.69 miles in, with an 8% grade. Winter is the natural season for this trail. Typical averages from the nearby Silverton weather station, which sits about 540 feet lower than the route, show January highs around 34°F with lows near -6°F, while June and July run warmer, with highs in the low to mid 70s. Several other ski routes lie close by. Aspen Loop is about 0.1 mile away and Beginner Loop about 0.2 mile. Climbers can head to the Hermosa Park Road Boulders, roughly 0.7 mile off, and paddlers will find 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 · 4.3 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Village Market and Deli

    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 Bench 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, 14.3 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.

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.

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

~37 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

~31 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.

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

Beginner Loop

Next door

Beginner Loop is a 0.63-mile route in Colorado with 59 feet of elevation gain.

Shrine RoadPhoto: WhisperToMe, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

Shrine Road

~25 min drive

Shrine Road is a 0.63-mile route in Colorado with 424 feet 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