Loading trail…
Free — you'll pick up right here.
Watch this trail
Sign up to watch it — saving subscribes you to gate, closure and report changes.
Colorado
16.4 mi
Distance
4,454 ft
Gain
We won't guess. Here is exactly what we do and don't know.
What we do know
Inside Pike and San Isabel National Forests
3 managing-area boundaries mapped — agency alerts for them feed this page automatically.
Boundary data
What's missing
No access route mapped
We don't yet know which road reaches this trailhead, so we can't tell you if it's gated.
Nobody's filed a report here yet — be the first.
Why you'll love it
Greenhorn
AI-suggested draft · review before you go
The Greenhorn Trail is an 8.2-mile loop in Colorado's San Juan National Forest, managed by the Gunnison Ranger District. This challenging route features 4,454 feet of elevation gain, making it suitable for experienced hikers seeking a strenuous workout in the high country. The loop format allows hikers to experience varied terrain and scenery without retracing their steps. With nearly 4,500 feet of elevation gain compressed into just over 8 miles, expect steep sections and significant climbing throughout the hike. The trail's location within the San Juan National Forest places it in a region known for alpine landscapes and mountain terrain. This hike is best suited for hikers with strong cardiovascular fitness and mountain hiking experience. The combination of distance and elevation gain means a full day should be allocated for this route. Weather in the high country can change rapidly, so proper preparation and early starts are recommended. The San Juan National Forest encompasses diverse ecosystems across south-central Colorado, and the Greenhorn Trail offers access to this region's distinctive mountain environment. Check current conditions with the Gunnison Ranger District before heading out.
Lake Shore Ada
~10 min drive
0.6 mi · Easy
Lakeshore
~10 min drive
1.8 mi · Easy
Mtn. Park
~16 min drive
2.3 mi · Easy
Sand Creek Basin
~50 min drive
<p>Sand Creek Basin is part of the alpine watershed of Great Sand Dunes National Preserve. A longer drive and hike is required to reach these lakes and peaks, but the mountain scenery is worth the effort. Check with a ranger for conditions before travel. Snow may block these t…
Mosca Pass
~52 min drive
<p>Just above the dunefield are forests of aspen, pine, fir, and spruce. The easiest hiking access to forest in the national park is in Mosca Pass, on the Montville Nature Trail and Mosca Pass Trail. On these trails, you are walking in the footsteps of Pleistocene mammoth hunt…
Hidden Dune
~52 min drive
Hidden Dune is currently tied with Star Dune as the two tallest dunes in North America at 741 feet/225 m. Hidden Dune is named for its remote location in the dunefield, where it is not visible from most of the main visitor day use areas. It is even hidden from much of the high…
High Dune on First Ridge
~53 min drive
The high dune on the first ridge is neither the highest in elevation nor the tallest in the dunefield, but it looks that way from the main parking lot. This is the most common destination in the dunefield, providing a great view of the entire dunefield. It is about 692 feet (2…
Ute
~53 min drive
6.8 mi · Hard
Zapata
~55 min drive
3.7 mi · Hard
Millset
~3 min drive
9.2 mi · Expert
