Colorado · Cross-country skiing · Near Clifton

Vista Valley

Vista ValleyPhoto: KimonBerlin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
1.8 mi
distance
95 ft
climb
10,741 ft
high point
Moderate
difficulty
Jun–Sep
best months

Is Vista Valley 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 Valley, 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 Valley is a cross-country skiing route in Colorado's Grand Valley Ranger District, part of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail's short climb sets it apart: it rises about 95 feet over a little under 2 miles, from a low of about 10,633 feet to a high of about 10,741 feet. The steepest stretch comes early, at about 7% grade within the first quarter mile. Winter is the natural season for this route. Typical averages from a nearby weather station run to highs around 26°F and lows near 6°F in January, while July brings highs near 68°F. That station sits roughly 900 feet lower than the route, so temperatures on the valley's high point run cooler. Vista Ridge and Kannah Crossing both lie about a tenth of a mile away, so the route pairs easily with either. Island Lake Campground is about 2 miles off for an overnight base, and Grand Mesa, about 3 miles away, offers fishing.

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 Valley

    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