The hall pass
For those looking for a longer trip, these trails in the high country of the San Juan Mountains are the perfect way to get off the grid for a full day or more.
Choose Your Adventure
All High country trail systems
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Cascade Creek Trail
Cascade Creek follows along the western base of the mountain and often sees less traffic than other popular high-country trails in the area.
Coal Creek Trail
Coal Creek is a popular downhill bike route to the highway, accessed from Deer Creek Trail or Engineer Mountain Trail.
Colorado Trail System (High Country)
The iconic Colorado Trail stretches 500 miles from Denver to its terminus in Durango and is one of the state’s great recreational assets.
Crater Lake Trail
Crater Lake is a beautiful 5.4-mile one way trail near Andrew’s Lake, popular for day hikes in the high country.
Cunningham Gulch
Meeting with the Highland Mary Lakes connector, Cunningham Gulch bring you to unhindered views of Mount Rhonda, Kendall Peak, and Little Giant Peak before ending at the Colorado Trail.
Deer Creek Trail
Deer Creek trail is a difficult, 4.6-mile trail that climbs steadily to meet Coal Creek, then Engineer Mountain Trail.
East Fork Trail
Most commonly used as a mountain bike route, ride up Hermosa Park Road to East Fork onto Hwy 145, you can ride north up Hwy 145 to Scotch Creek and return to Hermosa.
Engineer Mountain Trail
Engineer Mountain is a favorite hike or ride that is well marked and in close proximity to Durango, making it quite popular in the summertime.
Graysill Trail
Graysill Trail spurs from the Colorado Trail (at high country) to Cascade Creek Trail and gains/ascends 1,770 feet in 3 miles.
Highland Mary Lakes
The Highland Mary Lakes trail is an exception, providing day hikers quick access to this alpine wonderland.
Pass Creek Trail
Pass Trail is a great mountain bike ride or hike for most everyone, located near Engineer Mountain Trail.
Purgatory Trail System
Divinity Flow Trail, or Purgatory Flow Trail, located at Purgatory Resort, is a 1.5 mile intermediate trail, and Durango’s longest downhill flow trail.
Silverton Area Trails
Near Silverton you’ll find a number of thirteeners that can be completed as day hikes, including Kendall Mountain, Kendall Peak and Stony Peak.
Spud Lake Trail
Spud Lake a short and sweet family friendly high country trail open to hiking which ends at Spud Lake.
Weminuche Wilderness Trails
Within the wilderness area you can hike to high alpine valleys, mountain peaks and pristine lakes on hundreds of miles of marked trails in one of the largest wilderness areas in the U.S.
West Lime Creek
West Lime Creek Trail (FS #679) follows provides access to a variety of high-country trails, waterfalls, dispersed campsites and excellent views.
Whitehead Trail
White Creek Trail is a difficult and scenic high country trail near Cunningham Gulch and Highland Mary Lakes trails.
