Colorado · Ski touring · Near Leadville

Columbine

ColumbinePhoto: Skivacations, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
0.2 mi
distance
55 ft
climb
10,985 ft
high point

Is Columbine open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 6 alerts for White River National Forest.

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

Columbine is a short, low-elevation ski touring route in Colorado's White River National Forest, within the Dillon Ranger District. The Forest Service manages the land, and the climb lies about 0.16 miles from the start, rising from 10,975 feet to 10,985 feet with a total gain of 55 feet. The route is best suited to a quick outing rather than a full day in the backcountry. The most comfortable months for a visit are typically June and July, when a nearby weather station at Climax records average highs of about 61°F and 67°F. Snow is common from November through April, with typical averages of 15 snow days a month in December and January. That station sits about 9.6 miles away and roughly 360 feet lower than the route's high point, so temperatures on the route run cooler than the station's figures. Game Trail is just 0.1 mile away. Breckenridge, a climbing area, and Dwights, a mountain biking area, are each about 0.3 mile off. The Blue River, about 2 miles away, offers canoeing.

Around this trail

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

    Breckenridge Area

    Campground

    Campground · 2.5 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Pioneer Crossing

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 1 mi
  • If it rainsPlazak, CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

    Matchless Mine

    Attraction

    In town

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Plazak, CC BY 3.0 (commons)

More in Leadville

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go

    Best time to visit Columbine

    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

      27° / 3°

      15 wet · 15 snow

    2. Feb

      29° / 3°

      15 wet · 15 snow

    3. Mar

      35° / 8°

      14 wet · 14 snow

    4. Apr

      40° / 15°

      13 wet · 13 snow

    5. May

      49° / 25°

      10 wet · 8 snow

    6. Jun

      61° / 34°

      8 wet · 2 snow

    7. Jul

      67° / 40°

      13 wet

    8. Aug

      64° / 39°

      15 wet

    9. Sep

      58° / 32°

      11 wet · 2 snow

    10. Oct

      47° / 21°

      9 wet · 7 snow

    11. Nov

      35° / 11°

      12 wet · 12 snow

    12. Dec

      27° / 3°

      15 wet · 15 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Climax, CO, 9.6 mi away at 11,344 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more snow worth the drive

PikaPhoto: Dusty Wright, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Pika

~1 min drive

Short beginner-friendly Colorado ski route perfect for quick winter outings.

BreckenridgePhoto: 좀비 브렌다, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Breckenridge

Next door

Breckenridge is a ski area in Colorado with 35 lifts, 128 runs, and 3,256 ft vertical drop.

Morning GloryPhoto: Thomson200, CC0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Morning Glory

~2 min drive

0.64-mile cross-country ski trail in Colorado with 174 ft of elevation gain.

Gluteus MaximusPhoto: Bidgee, CC BY-SA 3.0 au (via Wikimedia Commons)

Gluteus Maximus

~2 min drive

0.76-mile route in Colorado with 327 ft of elevation gain.

Gold DiggerPhoto: Thomson200, CC0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Gold Digger

~2 min drive

Gold Digger is a 0.33-mile trail in Colorado with 67 feet of elevation gain.

Nightmare On BaldyPhoto: QKC, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Nightmare On Baldy

~8 min drive

2.35-mile cross-country ski trail in Colorado with 1,033 ft of elevation gain.

Mount Baldy RoadPhoto: QKC, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Mount Baldy Road

~9 min drive

Moderate 2.74-mile road-based ski tour in Colorado with steady climbing.

Copper MountainPhoto: Jarrod Doll from United States of America, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Copper Mountain

~7 min drive

Copper Mountain is a ski area in Colorado with 147 runs and 23 lifts.

Beaver MeadowsPhoto: Bidgee, CC BY-SA 3.0 au (via Wikimedia Commons)

Beaver Meadows

~2 min drive

1.48-mile cross-country ski trail in Colorado with 352 ft of elevation gain.

Hang TenPhoto: Bidgee, CC BY-SA 3.0 au (via Wikimedia Commons)

Hang Ten

~2 min drive

Hang Ten is a 0.35-mile cross-country ski trail in Colorado with 42 feet of elevation gain.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors