Colorado · Cross-country skiing · Near Idaho Springs

Meadows Loop

0.8 mi
distance
33 ft
climb
9,500 ft
high point
Easy
difficulty
Jun, Sep
best months

Is Meadows Loop 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.

Meadows Loop is a 0.76-mile cross-country ski route in the Boulder Ranger District of the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests in Colorado, about 328 feet lower than the nearby Boulder 14 W weather station. The loop rises from about 9,437 feet to about 9,500 feet, with a total climb of 33 feet and a total descent of 79 feet, making it an easy outing with little elevation change. Winter is the natural season for skiing here. Typical averages from the Boulder 14 W station show January highs around 29°F and lows near 12°F, with September and October the mildest months, averaging highs in the upper 40s and 47°F with the fewest wet days of the year. The route sits among other cross-country ski loops: Deadman's Gulch and Porcupine Park Loop are both about 0.1 mile away. Eldora climbing area is 2.2 miles off, and West Magnolia campground is 3.7 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Lost Lake Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 2.3 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Timbers Lodge & Tap house

    Pub

    On your way back · 1 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Matt Golon, CC BY-SA 3.0 (commons)

More in Idaho Springs

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Jun, Sep

    Best time to visit Meadows 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

      29° / 12°

      15 wet

    2. Feb

      28° / 11°

      16 wet

    3. Mar

      36° / 17°

      16 wet

    4. Apr

      40° / 22°

      17 wet

    5. May

      50° / 29°

      16 wet

    6. Jun

      62° / 36°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      68° / 43°

      14 wet

    8. Aug

      66° / 41°

      13 wet

    9. Sep

      59° / 34°

      10 wet

    10. Oct

      47° / 26°

      10 wet

    11. Nov

      35° / 19°

      12 wet

    12. Dec

      28° / 12°

      15 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Boulder 14 W, CO, 7.6 mi away at 9,828 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more snow worth the drive

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

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SEE

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

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SKI

17Th Avenue

Next door

1.29-mile route in Colorado with 270 ft of elevation gain.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors