Colorado · Cross-country skiing

Turnaround

0.2 mi
distance
8,106 ft
high point
Easy
difficulty
May–Oct
best months

Is Turnaround open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Turnaround is a short, easy cross-country ski route in Colorado's Ouray Ranger District, part of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route sits at about 8,100 feet, with a high point of 8,106 feet and a low of 8,089 feet. The climb is nearly flat, with a total gain of zero and a slight loss of 16 feet over its 0.18-mile length. Winter is the natural season for skiing here. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at a similar elevation show January highs around 37°F and lows near 13°F, while July and August run in the low 80s by day and the low 50s at night. Several other spots lie close by. The Mini Loop mountain biking trail is about 0.1 mile away, and the Branson Loop Ski and Spring Creek Rim SNO are each about 0.2 mile off. Farther out, Silesca Cabin offers camping about 9 miles away.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit Turnaround

    Best months: May–October. 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

      37° / 13°

    2. Feb

      40° / 16°

    3. Mar

      49° / 23°

    4. Apr

      56° / 29°

    5. May

      66° / 38°

    6. Jun

      76° / 46°

    7. Jul

      82° / 53°

    8. Aug

      81° / 52°

    9. Sep

      72° / 44°

    10. Oct

      60° / 33°

    11. Nov

      47° / 23°

    12. Dec

      36° / 13°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Black Canyon Of The Gunnison, CO, 22.9 mi away at 8,151 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more snow worth the drive

Middle LoopPhoto: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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Meadow LoopPhoto: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0 (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 FourtyPhoto: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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Parking Access TrailPhoto: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors