Colorado · Cross-country skiing · Near Estes Park

Colorado River Trail

Colorado River TrailPhoto: inkknife_2000 (7.5 million views +), CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
0.2 mi
distance
10 ft
climb
8,674 ft
high point
Hard
difficulty
Jun, Sep
best months

The Colorado River Trail is a short cross-country ski route about 1.7 miles from Grand Lake, Colorado. It covers 0.2 miles and is rated hard despite its small footprint. Elevation stays between roughly 8,655 and 8,674 feet, with about 10 feet of climbing and 19 feet of descent over the route. For skiing, the snowiest stretch runs December through February, when a nearby weather station at a similar elevation records typical average highs around 30 to 34°F and lows in the single digits. That station, at Grand Lake, averages 12 to 14 days with snow in each of those months. The trail links easily with other ski routes close by: Short Cut is about 0.1 miles away and Himes Sight about 0.2 miles. Within a few miles you'll also find the Grand Lake climbing area and Bull Mountain Campground.

Around this trail

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

    Bull Mountain Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 2.6 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Wild Bear Tavern

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 1 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Estes Park

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Jun, Sep

    Best time to visit Colorado River Trail

    Best months: June and 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

      30° / 4°

      14 wet · 14 snow

    2. Feb

      34° / 6°

      13 wet · 12 snow

    3. Mar

      42° / 14°

      12 wet · 9 snow

    4. Apr

      49° / 20°

      11 wet · 6 snow

    5. May

      59° / 28°

      12 wet · 2 snow

    6. Jun

      71° / 34°

      11 wet

    7. Jul

      76° / 40°

      14 wet

    8. Aug

      73° / 38°

      15 wet

    9. Sep

      68° / 32°

      12 wet · 1 snow

    10. Oct

      55° / 23°

      10 wet · 4 snow

    11. Nov

      40° / 13°

      11 wet · 9 snow

    12. Dec

      30° / 5°

      14 wet · 13 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Grand Lake 1 Nw, CO, 1.7 mi away at 8,720 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more snow worth the drive

Short CutPhoto: inkknife_2000 (7.5 million views +), CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Short Cut

Next door

0.30-mile ski trail in Colorado with 26 ft of elevation gain.

Himes SightPhoto: inkknife_2000 (7.5 million views +), CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Himes Sight

Next door

0.82-mile cross-country ski trail in Colorado with 74 ft of elevation gain.

River Run ConnectionPhoto: inkknife_2000 (7.5 million views +), CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

River Run Connection

Next door

0.17-mile trail in Colorado with 9 ft of elevation gain.

Uphill RoutePhoto: Missvain, CC BY 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Uphill Route

~25 min drive

Short Colorado uphill climb for fitness and technique practice.

SEE

Granby Ranch

~26 min drive

Granby Ranch is a ski area in Colorado with 6 lifts, 39 runs, and 931 ft of vertical.

Winter'S WayPhoto: inkknife_2000 (7.5 million views +), CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Winter'S Way

~1 min drive

1.43-mile cross-country ski trail in Colorado with 171 ft of elevation gain.

Ptarmigan TuckPhoto: inkknife_2000 (7.5 million views +), CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Ptarmigan Tuck

Next door

Ptarmigan Tuck is a 0.19-mile ski trail in Colorado with 66 feet of elevation gain.

Randall'S RompPhoto: inkknife_2000 (7.5 million views +), CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Randall'S Romp

Next door

0.87-mile route in Colorado with 36 feet of elevation gain.

Front 9 LoopPhoto: Loco Steve, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Front 9 Loop

~21 min drive

1.12-mile loop in Colorado with 38 ft of elevation gain.

Ptarmigan Tuck ConnectionPhoto: inkknife_2000 (7.5 million views +), CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Ptarmigan Tuck Connection

Next door

Ptarmigan Tuck Connection is a 0.28-mile trail in Colorado with 54 feet of elevation gain.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors