Colorado · Cross-country skiing · Near South Fork

Connection Loop

Connection LoopPhoto: bogdanstepniak, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
3.4 mi
distance
367 ft
climb
10,508 ft
high point
Jun, Sep
best months

Is Connection Loop open right now?

Road closed

US 160: road closure is listed as closed by CDOT 511.

  • US 160: road closure

    Closed · ~0.2 km from Connection Loop · CDOT 511

  • Closures and dangerous conditions on roads, bridges, and trails from flooding

    Agency closure covering Rio Grande National Forest · USFS · Rio Grande National Forest

As of · Source: CDOT 511. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Connection Loop is a 3.4-mile cross-country ski loop in the Divide Ranger District of Colorado's Rio Grande National Forest. Managed by the Forest Service, the loop rises from a starting point at about 10,350 feet to a high of 10,508 feet, with a total climb of 367 feet. The route returns to the start with a total descent of 664 feet, and the steepest stretch comes at about 1.6 miles, with a 17% grade. Winter is the natural season for this ski loop. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show January highs around 35°F and lows near 2°F, while summer brings highs in the low 70s. That station sits about 800 feet lower than the loop's high point, so temperatures on the loop run cooler. Fun Loop, another cross-country ski route, lies just 0.3 miles away. Tucker Ponds Campground is about 1.9 miles off, and the Lobo hike is about 1.6 miles away. The Pillars climbing area is about 3.4 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Tucker Ponds Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 1.9 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Ramon's Mexican Restaurant

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 15 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in South Fork

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Jun, Sep

    Best time to visit Connection Loop

    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

      35° / 2°

      7 wet

    2. Feb

      36° / 3°

      7 wet

    3. Mar

      42° / 12°

      7 wet

    4. Apr

      48° / 19°

      7 wet

    5. May

      58° / 27°

      8 wet

    6. Jun

      68° / 34°

      7 wet

    7. Jul

      72° / 40°

      15 wet

    8. Aug

      70° / 39°

      15 wet

    9. Sep

      64° / 33°

      11 wet

    10. Oct

      55° / 23°

      7 wet

    11. Nov

      43° / 13°

      5 wet

    12. Dec

      34° / 2°

      7 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Santa Maria Rsvr, CO, 29.9 mi away at 9,687 ft. The station sits about 800 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more snow worth the drive

Fun LoopPhoto: bogdanstepniak, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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Wolf Creek Ski AreaPhoto: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors