Colorado · Cross-country skiing · Near Idaho Springs

Marker Hill

Marker HillPhoto: Chris Light, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
1.8 mi
distance
571 ft
climb
8,934 ft
high point
Hard
difficulty
Jun–Aug
best months

Is Marker Hill open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 3 alerts for Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests.

As of · Source: USFS · Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Marker Hill is a cross-country ski route in the Sulphur Ranger District of the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests in Colorado, about 1.8 miles long with a 571-foot elevation gain from a starting point near 8,650 feet to a high of 8,934 feet. The climb is rated hard, and the steepest stretch comes at about 1.1 miles in, where the grade reaches 40 percent. Winter is the natural season for this route. Typical averages from the nearby Fraser weather station, which sits a few hundred feet lower, show January highs around 31°F with lows near -1°F, while June and July run in the low to mid 70s. The station's figures are not adjusted for the higher elevation of the route. Creekside and Blue Extra, both cross-country ski routes, lie within half a mile. Ranch Creek, a canoeing spot, is about 0.8 miles away, and Idlewild Campground is roughly 4.8 miles off.

Around this trail

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

    Idlewild Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 4.8 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Heck's Tavern

    Pub

    On your way back · 1 mi
  • If it rainsUser:Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

    Hamill House Museum

    Museum

    Museum · 19 mi from Idaho Springs

    Historic house-museum in Georgetown, Colorado, United States

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: User:Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 4.0 (commons)

More in Idaho Springs

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Jun–Aug

    Best time to visit Marker Hill

    Best months: June–August. 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

      31° / -1°

      11 wet

    2. Feb

      34° / 2°

      10 wet

    3. Mar

      43° / 11°

      9 wet

    4. Apr

      51° / 20°

      8 wet

    5. May

      62° / 27°

      7 wet

    6. Jun

      72° / 33°

      6 wet

    7. Jul

      77° / 38°

      9 wet

    8. Aug

      74° / 37°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      68° / 29°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      56° / 21°

      7 wet

    11. Nov

      41° / 10°

      8 wet

    12. Dec

      31° / -1°

      10 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Fraser, CO, 3.3 mi away at 8,560 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more snow worth the drive

CreeksidePhoto: Chris Light, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Creekside

Next door

Creekside is a 0.40-mile ski trail in Colorado with 104 ft of elevation gain.

ScreamerPhoto: Chris Light, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Screamer

~1 min drive

Screamer is a 0.30-mile ski trail in Colorado.

Ranch WalkPhoto: Chris Light, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Ranch Walk

~1 min drive

0.75-mile cross-country ski trail in Colorado with 101 ft of elevation gain.

Winter Park ResortPhoto: Cemeyer2, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Winter Park Resort

~12 min drive

Winter Park Resort is a ski area in Colorado with 25 lifts and 141 runs.

SKI

Take D'leap (Snow)

~10 min drive

0.49-mile out-and-back route in Colorado with 178 ft of elevation gain.

Blue ExtraPhoto: Chris Light, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Blue Extra

Next door

5.70-mile cross-country ski trail in Colorado with 886 ft of elevation gain.

Little CabinPhoto: Chris Light, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Little Cabin

~1 min drive

0.77-mile trail in Colorado with 136 ft of elevation gain.

MeadowPhoto: Chris Light, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Meadow

~1 min drive

Meadow is a 1.17-mile cross-country ski trail in Colorado with 154 feet of elevation gain.

CoyotePhoto: Chris Light, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Coyote

Next door

Coyote is a 0.58-mile route in Colorado with 82 ft of elevation gain.

WaxwingPhoto: Chris Light, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Waxwing

~1 min drive

1.49-mile cross-country ski trail in Colorado with 659 ft of elevation gain.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors