Colorado · Cross-country skiing · Near Telluride

Iron Fen

Iron FenPhoto: Sandy Horvath-Dori from Grand Junction, CO, USA, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
0.4 mi
distance
22 ft
climb
9,717 ft
high point
Moderate
difficulty

Is Iron Fen open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. It doesn't name Iron Fen, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Iron Fen is a cross-country ski route in Colorado, set on county land within the Ouray Ranger District of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. The trail is short, about 0.4 miles, and rises roughly 22 feet from a low point of 9,682 feet to a high of 9,717 feet. It is rated moderate, and the steepest stretch, a 9% grade, comes about 0.28 miles in. The closest neighbors are Brooklyn, a ski route 0.1 mile away, and Brown Mountain Road, 0.2 mile away. For an overnight stay, Corkscrew Camping Area sits 0.4 mile off and the Million Dollar Highway Free Campsite about 0.7 mile away. The most comfortable months for skiing are late fall and winter, when typical averages from the nearby Silverton weather station run to highs around 34°F in December and January with lows near zero. Summer is much warmer, with July highs around 75°F.

Around this trail

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

    Corkscrew Camping Area

    Campground

    Campground · 0.4 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Colorado Boy Southwest Pub

    Restaurant

    Open after 6
  • If it rains

    Smuggler Union Tramhouse

    Attraction

    On your way back · 6 mi

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 Iron Fen

    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, 9.2 mi away at 9,285 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more snow worth the drive

BrooklynPhoto: Sandy Horvath-Dori from Grand Junction, CO, USA, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Brooklyn

Next door

Brooklyn is a 0.52-mile route in Colorado with 378 feet of elevation gain.

SaratogaPhoto: Sandy Horvath-Dori from Grand Junction, CO, USA, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Saratoga

Next door

0.76-mile cross-country ski trail in Colorado with 378 ft of elevation gain.

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

Silverton Mountain

~8 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

~33 min drive

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

SKI

P Lake Ski Start Loop Outer

~23 min drive

0.36-mile loop ski start with 24 ft gain in Colorado.

Brown Mountain RoadPhoto: Sandy Horvath-Dori from Grand Junction, CO, USA, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Brown Mountain Road

Next door

0.50-mile route in Colorado with 31 ft of elevation gain.

Townsite LoopPhoto: Sandy Horvath-Dori from Grand Junction, CO, USA, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Townsite Loop

Next door

1.70-mile cross-country ski loop in Colorado with 270 ft of elevation gain.

Telluride Ski AreaPhoto: Murray Foubister, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Telluride Ski Area

~16 min drive

Telluride Ski Area in Colorado has 20 lifts and 107 runs, 18 easy, 41 intermediate, 24 advanced, 23 expert, 3,891 ft vertical drop.

SKI

P Lake Ski Gravel Pit

~24 min drive

0.41-mile out-and-back ski route at P Lake Ski Gravel Pit in Colorado.

Corkscrew Gulch RoadPhoto: Sandy Horvath-Dori from Grand Junction, CO, USA, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Corkscrew Gulch Road

Next door

0.28-mile route in Colorado with 386 ft of elevation gain.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors