Colorado · Cross-country skiing · Near Clifton

Sunset

SunsetPhoto: KimonBerlin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
1.7 mi
distance
34 ft
climb
10,667 ft
high point
Moderate
difficulty
Jun–Sep
best months

Is Sunset open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Sunset is a cross-country ski route in western Colorado, within the Grand Valley Ranger District of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route sits at about 10,600 feet, with the high point at 10,667 feet and the low point at 10,602 feet. The climb is short and moderate. The route is about 1.7 miles long and gains roughly 34 feet, with the steepest section at about 1.2 miles in, where the grade reaches 11%. That puts the route on the easier end of cross-country skiing. Winter is the season for it. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show January highs around 26°F and lows near 6°F. The station sits about 800 feet lower, so temperatures on the route run a little cooler. Summit Trail lies just 0.1 mile away, and the Skyway Ski Summit hike is the same distance. Spruce Grove Campground is about 1.3 miles off, and Grand Mesa, about 3.8 miles away, offers pier fishing.

Around this trail

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

    Spruce Grove Campground - Grand Valley RD

    Campground

    Campground · 1.3 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Slopeside cafe

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 5 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY-SA 3.0 (commons)

More in Clifton

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Jun–Sep

    Best time to visit Sunset

    Best months: June–September. 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° / 6°

    2. Feb

      27° / 4°

    3. Mar

      34° / 12°

    4. Apr

      40° / 17°

    5. May

      49° / 27°

    6. Jun

      62° / 37°

    7. Jul

      68° / 42°

    8. Aug

      64° / 40°

    9. Sep

      57° / 34°

    10. Oct

      45° / 24°

    11. Nov

      34° / 14°

    12. Dec

      26° / 5°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Bonham Rsvr, CO, 9.2 mi away at 9,852 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

WinslowPhoto: KimonBerlin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Winslow

Next door

0.58-mile cross-country ski trail in Colorado with 57 ft of elevation gain.

ArroyoPhoto: KimonBerlin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Arroyo

Next door

0.54-mile cross-country ski trail in Colorado with 46 ft of elevation gain.

Rhubarb TrailPhoto: NASA, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

Rhubarb Trail

~1h 10m drive

Rhubarb Trail is a 1.47-mile route in Colorado with 310 feet of elevation gain.

Powderhorn Ski AreaPhoto: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Powderhorn Ski Area

~9 min drive

Powderhorn Ski Area in Colorado has 5 lifts and 49 runs with 1,653 ft of vertical drop.

SKI

Sp Tie in - Stevens Gulch Both

~44 min drive

26.24-mile cross-country ski trail in Colorado with 1,048 ft gain.

SKI

Shark Park

~47 min drive

Short, beginner-friendly Colorado ski route ideal for quick winter outings.

Will'S HillPhoto: KimonBerlin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Will'S Hill

Next door

0.23-mile trail in Colorado with 116 ft of elevation gain.

Practice LoopPhoto: KimonBerlin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Practice Loop

~1 min drive

0.25-mile loop with 20 ft gain in Colorado.

Home TrailPhoto: NASA, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

Home Trail

~1h 11m drive

0.63-mile route in Colorado with 59 ft of elevation gain.

LionsPhoto: KimonBerlin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Lions

~1 min drive

1.25-mile ski trail in Colorado with 234 ft of elevation gain.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors