Trail Run Project Logo

A secluded loop in the Sangre de Cristo mountains that crosses four mountain passes.


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

23.0

Miles

37.1

KM

78%

Runnable

13,004' 3,964 m

High

9,056' 2,760 m

Low

5,843' 1,781 m

Up

5,841' 1,780 m

Down

10%

Avg Grade (5°)

40%

Max Grade (22°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Overview

Besides the 6 miles on County Road 160, this loop is entirely singletrack, exploring 6 bowls on either side of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range, crossing four passes. Trips timed to coincide with the wildflowers in early summer or aspens turning in early autumn will be especially spectacular.

Need to Know

The route is strenuous and passes through some high alpine conditions. Be prepared with plenty of water, sun protection, and enough layers to withstand windy conditions. Highly recommend downloading the gpx file to your GPS watch or using the Trail Run Project mobile app as the trail can be hard to find at times and it is easy to get off trail without the map already downloaded. Even into Autumn, there is water available to filter/pump between each of the passes.

Description

Start by heading uphill on the access trail to the Rainbow Trail #1336: Alvarado Creek to Hermit Pass, and head north until the trail crosses County Road 160, a four wheel road that climbs up to 13,000 ft where it ends on the ridgeline. There are several options to get water at Middle Taylor creek or take a detour to one of the several lakes. At the pass, continue past the boulders halting vehicle traffic, down onto the Rito Alto Trail.

Follow the trail clockwise around the bowl, which becomes the North Fork Crestone Trail, ascending the 2nd pass much lower than the first. Again, there is a trail that could take you to the lake if you wanted. After crossing the pass, follow the North Fork Crestone Trail, avoiding turning down to the creek on the San Isabel Trail. The trail crosses several streams which run even during late summer, so there are amble opportunities to get water. Another climb crosses the 3rd pass and down into another valley that would be worth a whole day exploring.

At the next trail juncture, stay high onto the Venable Trail which climbs to Venable Pass, the 4th, final, and 2nd highest pass of the loop. After gaining the ridge, stay on the main trail, avoiding the side trails to the Venerable Lake Trail, and descend back to the initial Rainbow Trail intersection with the access trail spur back to the trailhead.

Flora & Fauna

All kinds of plants make their home along the slopes including pete moss, shrubs, aspen & Ponderosa trees &, various others.

Contacts

Shared By:

Michael Arrigo with improvements by nathan kirkland and 1 other

Trail Ratings

  4.8 from 24 votes

#1

in Westcliffe

#402

Overall
  4.8 from 24 votes
5 Star
83%
4 Star
13%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
4%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Westcliffe

#84

in Colorado

#402

Overall
29 Views Last Month
19,541 Since Dec 12, 2015
Difficult Difficult

0%
0%
0%
22%
78%
0%

Photos

Eureka Mountain at sunset, after the first October Snow
Oct 11, 2021 near Crestone, CO
Evening light from Hermit Pass, around 13,000ft, towards Rio Alto bowl
Oct 11, 2021 near Crestone, CO
Looking towards the Rito Alto Lake valley after crossing the 1st pass.
Dec 12, 2015 near Crestone, CO
Final pass of the Four Pass Loop and the most challenging
Oct 27, 2019 near Crestone, CO
Incredible vistas and view of high alpine lakes
Oct 27, 2019 near Crestone, CO
Fall Splendor - Venable Trail
Oct 11, 2021 near Westcliffe, CO
loading

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 44 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Sep 14, 2024
Jordan G
Early Fall color. Great in the recommended direction if starting early in the morning 22mi — 6h 30m
Oct 11, 2021
Jordan G
Spectacular route. Did clock-wise to end with 10.5mi descent; worked well. Still some great fall colors. 23mi — 7h 30m
Sep 27, 2018
Joe Vandal
Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.