Colorado · Cross-country skiing · Near Telluride

South Pipeline

South PipelinePhoto: Sandy Horvath-Dori from Grand Junction, CO, USA, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
0.3 mi
distance
25 ft
climb
10,057 ft
high point
Moderate
difficulty

Is South 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 South 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.

South Pipeline is a cross-country ski route in the Ouray Ranger District of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests in Colorado, about 0.34 miles long and rising 25 feet from a low point of 10,017 feet to a high of 10,057 feet. The climb is short and gentle, with the steepest stretch at about 0.06 miles in, where the grade reaches 7 percent. The route is rated moderate. Winter is the natural season for this ski route. Typical averages from the nearby Silverton weather station, which sits about 770 feet lower, show January highs around 34°F with lows near -6°F, while June and July run warmer, with highs in the low to mid 70s. Temperatures on the route itself run cooler than those figures. The Colorado Boy ski route lies just 0.1 mile away, and Silver Belle is about 0.3 mile off. For an overnight stay, the Million Dollar Highway Free Campsite is roughly 0.8 mile away. Climbers can find Waterfall Wall about 3.8 miles from the route.

Around this trail

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

    Million Dollar Highway Free Campsite

    Campground

    Campground · 0.8 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 South 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, 8.3 mi away at 9,285 ft. The station sits about 800 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)

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

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

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SKI

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

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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors