Colorado · Cross-country skiing · Near Telluride

North Pipeline

North PipelinePhoto: Sandy Horvath-Dori from Grand Junction, CO, USA, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
0.7 mi
distance
201 ft
climb
10,022 ft
high point
Moderate
difficulty

Is North Pipeline open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. It doesn't name North Pipeline, 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.

North Pipeline is a cross-country ski route in Colorado's Ouray Ranger District, part of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. The trail is short and moderate, covering about 0.7 miles with an elevation gain of 201 feet from the start. The high point is about 10,022 feet, and the steepest stretch comes at about 0.2 miles from the start, where the grade reaches 19 percent. The most comfortable months for a ski outing are late spring and early fall. Typical averages from the nearby Silverton weather station run from highs around 58°F in May to about 66°F in September, while winter highs sit near 34°F with lows in the single digits. Several other spots sit within a short distance. Silver Belle, a cross-country ski route, and the Hayden Mountain hike are both about 0.2 miles away. The Million Dollar Highway Free Campsite is about 0.3 miles off, and Corkscrew Camping Area is about 0.6 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Million Dollar Highway Free Campsite

    Campground

    Campground · 0.3 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 · 5 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 North Pipeline

    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, 8.6 mi away at 9,285 ft. The station sits about 700 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more snow worth the drive

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

Silver Belle

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

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

Silverton Mountain

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Silver Pick RoadPhoto: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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

South Pipeline

Next door

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Uncompahgre River WalkPhoto: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Uncompahgre River Walk

~13 min drive

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

Telluride Ski Area

~15 min drive

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SKI

P Lake Ski Start Loop Outer

~22 min drive

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

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

Colorado Boy

Next door

0.33-mile trail in Colorado with 88 ft of elevation gain.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors