Colorado Trail Conditions

Last Updated: July 1, 2023

Visit San Juan National Forest – Alerts & Notices (usda.gov) for all up-to-date trail and road conditions.

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Trails:

• Alta Lakes & Ghost Town – OPEN
  • Alta Ghost town halfway is a must-do. Three (3) high alpine crystal-clear lakes lay at the end of the Alta trails. Camp, fish & release, or picnic​

• Ames Historical Power-plant/ Ilium Road – OPEN
  • The first DC power in the country, powering mining operations and the first streetlights in the country, Tellurides! Also leads to the beautiful Mystic Falls trail.​​ 

• Animas Forks – OPEN
  • Historical ghost town perched north of Silverton, get out and take a walk​

• Black Bear Pass – CLOSED Off-limits to Diff. Vehicles
  • Most difficult trail in Colorado, off-limits to rentals, one-way travel downhill only​.

• Bridal Veil Falls – OPEN
  • The tallest waterfall in the state, a must-see.

• Brown Mountain – OPEN
  • Brown Mountain is a three mile long ridgeline that rises to the East of Ironton Park

• California Gulch – OPEN
  • Lake Como (Uncompahgre headwaters), high elevation rolling trail​

• Cinnamon Pass – OPEN
  • Improved CR connecting Lake City to Silverton​

• Corkscrew Gulch – OPEN
  • One of the best trails/views in SW Colorado​

• County Road 110 – OPEN
  • North of Silverton, improved CR to access Hurricane & Corkscrew​

• East Dallas Creek – OPEN
  • Travel 10 miles down this CR to access Blue Lakes trailhead. Beautiful​

• Engineer Pass – OPEN
  • Difficult trail, access to Lake City, rough and slow going​

• Fall Creek Rd / Woods Lake – OPEN
  • Beautiful drive, lower elevation mean higher temps, pristine fishing lake​

• Hurricane Pass – OPEN
  • Couple this with Corkscrew and California for an unforgettable day!​

• Imogene Pass – OPEN
  • The most popular and all-encompassing in the area. Elevation at the summit is 13,114′. Travel time is 3-5 hours connecting Telluride to Ouray. Tunnels, streams, wildflowers, basins, ghost towns, active mines, and more await you on this adventure!​

• Last Dollar Road – OPEN
  • Wildflower, stream crossings, baby elk/deer, and extensive views​

• Last Plata Canyon – OPEN
• Owl Creek Pass – OPEN
  • Steep and rocky as it winds up to the Gunnison county line and Silver-jack Reservoir. ​
• Ophir Pass – CLOSED
  • Elevation of 11,789′ with a shelf road on the northwest side. 90 minutes to travel and provides easy access from Telluride to Hwy 550 near Silverton​
• Poughkeepsie Gulch– CLOSED Off-limits to Diff. Vehicles
• Rim Rocker Trail – OPEN (the City of Montrose to CO state line)
  • Overlanders…this is the newest trail to travel. 160 miles of dirt, 2 days travel in a Jeep or more.​
• Silver-Jack Reservoir – OPEN
• South Mineral Springs – OPEN
• Tomboy Ghost Town – OPEN
• Trout Lake – OPEN (accessible by highway)
  • Looking to relax with a kayak or SUP on the water…this is the ultimate!​

• West Dallas Creek – OPEN
  • Photographers paradise especially for fall colors​

• Yankee Boy Basin – OPEN
  • Beautiful basin at the base of Mt Sneffles (14er), wildflowers, waterfalls​

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Ghost Towns:

• Tomboy Mine – OPEN
• Alta Ghost Town – OPEN

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Waterfalls:

• Bridal Veil Falls – OPEN
• Yankee Boy Basin Twin Waterfalls – OPEN
• Cornet Creek Falls – OPEN
• Mystic Falls – OPEN

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Paved Highways – Scenic Drives The most up to date information about road conditions, closures and cameras can be found at the CDOT website www.cotrip.org

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• Million Dollar Highway / America’s Scenic Byway: Single-lane road over high mountain passes connecting the historical mining/mountain towns of Telluride, Ouray, Silverton, Durango, and Dolores. Travel time is 5-7 hours for the entire loop. 236 Miles. Incredible history, restaurants, train rides, Mesa Verde national park, and window shopping along the way.

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• National Park – Black Canyon of the Gunnison: From Montrose take highway 50 east 13 miles, turn onto Highway 347 for 14 miles. The Gunnison River has eroded rock for over a million years forming one of the deepest, steeped, and narrowest canyons in the country. We recommend a stop at the visitors center to get you started.

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• Gateway Canyon: Hwy 141. Stop at the famous Discovery Channel owner’s car museum, restaurant or stay at their hotel. Scenic overlooks and single-lane road along highway 141 will simply amaze. Travel time 2 hours each way from Telluride or Montrose

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CAUTION:

Conditions change very rapidly at elevation, be careful of the weather this time of year. Trails may be covered in snow/ice/slush causing it to be slick or washed out, even if listed as open. Never travel on snow or ice. Turn back before ruining a good day and enjoy another trail. Follow all safety procedures, and please don’t go beyond your comfort level or vehicle’s capability!

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Always go into the back-country with another vehicle and plenty of water, food and layers of clothing!  Sunscreen, sunglasses and a camera are a must!