Colorado · Cross-country skiing · Near Idaho Springs

Meander

MeanderPhoto: Photo by Tom Ortmeyer. – U.S. Department of Energy from United States, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)
0.7 mi
distance
148 ft
climb
8,685 ft
high point
Hard
difficulty
Jun–Aug
best months

Meander is a cross-country ski route in Colorado, about 2 miles from the town of Fraser. The trail is short, under 0.7 miles, and it rises from about 8,527 feet to about 8,685 feet, a total gain of 148 feet. The climb is steepest at about 0.56 miles, with a grade of 8 percent, and the route also has a total loss of 245 feet, so it's a short, rolling stretch rather than a straightforward ascent. Winter is the natural season for skiing here. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Fraser show January highs around 31°F with lows near -1°F, while June is the warmest month, with highs around 72°F. That station sits a few hundred feet below the route, so temperatures on the trail run slightly cooler. Devil's Falls and Homer's Heffers, both cross-country ski routes, are each about 0.4 miles away. Ranch Creek, a canoeing spot, is about 0.6 miles off, and Idlewild Campground is about 4 miles away for an overnight stay.

Around this trail

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

    Idlewild Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 4.0 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 · 18 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 Meander

    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, 2.1 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

Devil'S FallsPhoto: Photo by Tom Ortmeyer. – U.S. Department of Energy from United States, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

Devil'S Falls

Next door

0.35-mile trail in Colorado with 63 ft of elevation gain.

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

Ranch Walk

Next door

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

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

Rancher Bob

~1 min drive

1.78-mile cross-country ski trail in Colorado with 271 ft of elevation gain.

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

Winter Park Resort

~11 min drive

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

SKI

Take D'leap (Snow)

~8 min drive

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

Homer'S HeffersPhoto: Photo by Tom Ortmeyer. – U.S. Department of Energy from United States, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

Homer'S Heffers

Next door

0.66-mile ski route in Colorado with 190 ft 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.

Ram'S CurlPhoto: Chris Light, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Ram'S Curl

~1 min drive

0.45-mile trail in Colorado with 57 ft of elevation gain.

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

Marker Hill

~2 min drive

Marker Hill is a 1.81-mile cross-country ski trail in Colorado with 710 feet of elevation gain.

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

Radcliff

~1 min drive

Radcliff is a 0.56-mile ski trail in Colorado with 106 feet of elevation gain.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors