Colorado · Cross-country skiing · Near Clifton

Vista Ridge

Vista RidgePhoto: KimonBerlin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
1.5 mi
distance
77 ft
climb
10,746 ft
high point
Moderate
difficulty
Jun–Sep
best months

Is Vista Ridge open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Vista Ridge is a cross-country ski route in western Colorado, on Forest Service land within the Grand Valley Ranger District of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. The route is short, at about 1.5 miles, and the climb is gentle: it rises 77 feet from a low point of 10,669 feet to a high of 10,746 feet, with the steepest stretch at 6% grade about 0.9 miles in. Winter is the natural season for skiing here. Typical averages from a nearby weather station run from highs in the mid-20s and lows near zero in December and January to highs in the upper 40s in May. That station sits roughly 900 feet lower than the ridge, so temperatures on the ridge run cooler. Vista Valley and Kannah Crossing, both cross-country ski areas, lie about 0.1 mile away. For an overnight stay, Island Lake Campground is about 2 miles off. Kannah Creek Wall, a climbing area, is roughly 7 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Island Lake Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 1.9 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Slopeside cafe

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 6 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 Vista Ridge

    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, 8.3 mi away at 9,852 ft. The station sits about 900 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.

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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors