Colorado · Cross-country skiing

Old Ditch Trail

Old Ditch TrailPhoto: Helimedic39, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
0.2 mi
distance
8,887 ft
high point
Easy
difficulty
Jun–Aug
best months

Is Old Ditch Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Old Ditch Trail is a short, easy cross-country ski route in Colorado's Gunnison Ranger District, part of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. It sits on Moon Ridge, about 0.23 miles long, with a high point of 8,887 feet and a low of 8,875 feet. The trail is private land, and the climb is nearly flat, with a total loss of 25 feet and a steepest grade of 2% at about 0.11 miles in. Winter is the natural season for skiing here. Typical averages from the nearby Crested Butte weather station, at a similar elevation, show January highs around 26°F with lows near -7°F, while June and July run in the 70s. The station sits about 20 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the trail may run slightly cooler. Gulch and Middle Earth, both cross-country ski routes, lie about 0.1 miles away. The Hone Stone and Skyland Boulders climbing areas are about half a mile off.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Jun–Aug

    Best time to visit Old Ditch Trail

    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

      26° / -7°

      12 wet

    2. Feb

      29° / -2°

      11 wet

    3. Mar

      38° / 7°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      47° / 19°

      9 wet

    5. May

      58° / 28°

      8 wet

    6. Jun

      70° / 34°

      7 wet

    7. Jul

      76° / 40°

      10 wet

    8. Aug

      74° / 38°

      12 wet

    9. Sep

      66° / 31°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      54° / 22°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      39° / 9°

      9 wet

    12. Dec

      27° / -4°

      11 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Crested Butte, CO, 0.8 mi away at 8,867 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more snow worth the drive

Middle EarthPhoto: Helimedic39, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Middle Earth

Next door

Middle Earth is a 1.23-mile cross-country ski trail in Colorado with 310 feet of elevation gain.

Tony'SPhoto: Nicholas Swanson http://nicholasswanson.com/ http://dribbble.com/NicholasSwanson, CC0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Tony'S

Next door

2.80-mile cross-country ski trail in Colorado with 874 ft of elevation gain.

The MazePhoto: Helimedic39, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

The Maze

Next door

0.97-mile route in Colorado with 34 ft of elevation gain.

PowerlinePhoto: Nick Taylor, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Powerline

~3 min drive

Powerline is a 0.14-mile ski trail in Colorado.

Tony'S Trail 603Photo: Nicholas Swanson http://nicholasswanson.com/ http://dribbble.com/NicholasSwanson, CC0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Tony'S Trail 603

Next door

Short, beginner-friendly Colorado ski trail perfect for quick outings.

Crested Butte Mountain ResortPhoto: Draconrex, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Crested Butte Mountain Resort

~3 min drive

Crested Butte Mountain Resort in Colorado has 15 lifts and 95 runs with 2,315 ft of vertical drop.

Washington Gulch RoadPhoto: Sheila Sund from Salem, United States, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Washington Gulch Road

~8 min drive

Short, beginner-friendly road ski in Colorado's Washington Gulch.

Skyland CcPhoto: Helimedic39, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Skyland Cc

~1 min drive

1.33-mile cross-country ski trail in Colorado with 141 ft of elevation gain.

TeocalliPhoto: Helimedic39, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Teocalli

~2 min drive

0.69-mile cross-country ski trail in Colorado with 25 ft of elevation gain.

Recreation PathPhoto: Helimedic39, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Recreation Path

~1 min drive

1.84-mile route in Colorado with 481 ft of elevation gain.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors