Colorado · Cross-country skiing · Near Idaho Springs

Ranch Walk

Ranch WalkPhoto: Chris Light, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
0.8 mi
distance
11 ft
climb
8,539 ft
high point
Easy
difficulty
Jun–Aug
best months

Ranch Walk is a short, easy cross-country ski route in Colorado, about 0.75 miles long and rising just 11 feet from start to finish. It sits at roughly 8,520 feet, with the high point at 8,539 feet, and the nearest town is Maryvale, about 2.3 miles away. The route is nearly flat, with a total loss of 28 feet over the course. The steepest stretch comes at about 0.36 miles in, with a grade of about 3 percent. It makes a quick addition to a day of skiing in the area. Winter is the natural season for this trail. Typical averages from the nearby Fraser weather station, at a similar elevation, show January highs around 31°F with lows near -1°F, while June highs reach about 72°F. The station sits about 21 feet higher than the route. Radcliff and Meadow, both cross-country ski routes, are each about 0.2 miles away. Ranch Creek, a canoeing spot, is about half a mile off, and Idlewild Campground is about 4.2 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Idlewild Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 4.2 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 · 19 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 Ranch Walk

    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, 2.6 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

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

Meadow

Next door

Meadow is a 1.17-mile cross-country ski trail in Colorado with 154 feet of elevation gain.

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

Blue Extra

Next door

5.70-mile cross-country ski trail in Colorado with 886 ft of elevation gain.

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

Meander

Next door

0.68-mile cross-country ski trail in Colorado with 85 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)

~9 min drive

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

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

Radcliff

Next door

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

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

Coyote

Next door

Coyote is a 0.58-mile route in Colorado with 82 ft of elevation gain.

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

Marker Hill

~1 min drive

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

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

Stage Route

~1 min drive

Stage Route is a 0.53-mile ski trail in Colorado with 60 feet of elevation gain.

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

Rancher Bob

Next door

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

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors