Colorado · Cross-country skiing · Near Telluride

Meadow Loop

Meadow LoopPhoto: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
0.9 mi
distance
10 ft
climb
8,607 ft
high point
Easy
difficulty
Jun–Jul, Sep
best months

Meadow Loop is a short, easy cross-country ski route in Colorado, about 3.5 miles from the town of Ridgway. The trail is just under a mile long, with a total elevation gain of about 10 feet, so it's a flat, low-effort outing that pairs easily with other nearby ski routes. The climb is nearly flat, with the high point at 8,607 feet and the low at 8,587 feet. The steepest stretch comes at about 0.79 miles in, with a grade of about 3 percent. The start sits at roughly 8,590 feet. Winter is the natural season for this route. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Telluride show January highs around 36°F with lows near 0°F, while June and July run warmer, with highs in the low to mid 70s. Middle Loop and North Fourty are both within a third of a mile, so the Meadow Loop makes a natural addition to a longer ski day. For paddling, East Fork Dallas Creek is about 2.8 miles away, and Ouray KOA offers camping about 5 miles off.

Around this trail

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

    East Dallas Camping Area

    Campground

    Campground · 4.4 mi from the trail
  • If it rains

    Smuggler Union Tramhouse

    Attraction

    On your way back · 12 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Telluride

Local outfitters

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  • Best time to go · Jun–Jul, Sep

    Best time to visit Meadow Loop

    Best months: June–July 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

      36° / 0°

      10 wet

    2. Feb

      38° / 5°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      44° / 13°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      51° / 22°

      9 wet

    5. May

      60° / 29°

      9 wet

    6. Jun

      73° / 34°

      7 wet

    7. Jul

      77° / 41°

      12 wet

    8. Aug

      74° / 40°

      15 wet

    9. Sep

      68° / 34°

      11 wet

    10. Oct

      57° / 23°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      45° / 13°

      8 wet

    12. Dec

      36° / 2°

      9 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Telluride 4wnw, CO, 11.8 mi away at 8,646 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more snow worth the drive

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors