Satellite imagery via Esri World Imagery
EasyUnpaved

Chief Mountain Trail

Idaho Springs, Colorado · Clear Creek County · FS 58

Chief Mountain Trail is a easy hiking trail near Idaho Springs in Clear Creek County, Colorado.. The surface is unpaved. Trail data is sourced from OpenStreetMap.

🧭 Get Directions🗺️ Open in OSM
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39.67901, -105.51978
Open in OpenStreetMap
5-Day Forecast

Weather at Chief Mountain Trail

Live forecast for the trailhead. Use it to pack and time your hike.

Avg High68°F
Avg Low46°F
Peak Rain Chance21%
Humidity44%
UV (avg)8
Air Quality79 · Moderate
Today
☁️
Overcast
64°/45°
🌬 11mph
↑ 6:16 AM ↓ 7:55 PM
Tue
🌦
Drizzle
66°/46°
💧 7%🌬 15mph
↑ 6:17 AM ↓ 7:54 PM
Wed
🌧
Light Rain
69°/45°
💧 21%🌬 14mph
↑ 6:18 AM ↓ 7:52 PM
Thu
🌦
Light Drizzle
70°/45°
💧 10%🌬 10mph
↑ 6:19 AM ↓ 7:51 PM
Fri
☁️
Overcast
72°/47°
💧 11%🌬 12mph
↑ 6:20 AM ↓ 7:49 PM

Forecast data © Open-Meteo. Refreshed every 6 hours. Always check the most recent forecast before heading out.

About Chief Mountain Trail

Chief Mountain Trail is a easy hiking trail near Idaho Springs in Clear Creek County, Colorado.. The surface is unpaved. Trail data is sourced from OpenStreetMap.

⚠ Note from contributors: Trail has been aligned to the Strava Global Heatmap, a highly accurate average of the GPX tracks of the large number of Strava users who have hiked/ran this trail. Do not modify geometry based on imagery or individual GPX tracks.

What “Easy” Means

Gentle terrain, well-marked. Suitable for all ages and fitness levels.

Difficulty is derived from OpenStreetMap’s Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) hiking scale, trail visibility, surface, distance, and elevation gain. Always verify current conditions before heading out.

See more easy trails →All Colorado trails →

What to Pack & Wear

Personalised to this trail’s length, elevation, difficulty, and the live forecast.

👔 What to Wear

  • 👕
    Long-sleeve shirt
    Synthetic or merino, sun-protective.
  • 🧥
    Light shell or windbreaker
    Even on warm days, wind can chill (avg wind 11 mph).
  • 👖
    Hiking pants or convertible
    Layer for variable conditions.
  • 🥾
    Trail runners or low boots
    Comfortable, broken in.
  • 🌡
    Layers for swings
    Daily temp range is wide (46°F low → 68°F high). Pack layers.

🎒 What to Pack

  • 💧
    Water
    Bring at least 1L of water; more in heat.
  • 🍫
    High-energy snacks
    A snack for the trail.
  • 🧴
    Sun protection (UV 8)
    SPF 50+ sunscreen, lip balm w/ SPF, sunglasses, sun hat.
  • 🩹
    First-aid kit
    Blister patches, ibuprofen, tape, antiseptic wipes.
  • 🗺
    Offline map
    Download your route in advance via Gaia, Caltopo, or OSM-based apps.

Recommendations adapt to the current forecast + trail stats. Use them as a starting point — local conditions, your experience, and the time of day you start all matter.

Trail Safety in Colorado

Trail conditions in Colorado change with weather, season, and fire activity. Closures, washouts, and rerouting are common. Before heading out:

  • Check with the land manager for current conditions and closures
  • Tell someone your plan and expected return time
  • Know your turn-around limits — conditions can change fast
  • Carry the 10 essentials: water, food, navigation, first aid, light, fire, shelter, knife, sun protection, extra clothes

Frequently Asked Questions

How hard is Chief Mountain Trail?

Chief Mountain Trail is rated Easy. Suitable for most hikers including families.

Can I ride a bike on Chief Mountain Trail?

No — this trail is closed to bicycles.

Are horses allowed on Chief Mountain Trail?

No — this trail is closed to horses.

What is the trail surface on Chief Mountain Trail?

The surface is unpaved. Suitable for strollers and most footwear.

When is the best time to hike Chief Mountain Trail?

Colorado has trail conditions that vary by season. Spring and fall usually offer the best mix of temperature and trail conditions. Check the 5-day forecast above for current outlook. Always verify trail status (closures, washouts, fire restrictions) with the local land manager before going.

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