Weminuche Trail
~2 days · 11.8 mi · moderate · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Weminuche Trail is known for
The Weminuche Trail is a backcountry route into the Weminuche Wilderness, Colorado's largest designated wilderness, deep in the San Juan Mountains. It follows the Weminuche drainage through remote forest and high meadow far from any road, in country crossed by the Continental Divide Trail and dotted with rugged San Juan peaks. It is a remote, uncrowded trail used for backpacking access into the range's interior.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 8,478 ft to 11,266 ft over 11.8 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 6.5 mi · 56%
- Downhill 2.3 mi · 20%
- Flat 2.8 mi · 24%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Weminuche Trail?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Weminuche Trail scores 27/100, a relative rating across the 569 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Best season & permits
Season: Roughly July through September, after the high country snowpack melts out and before autumn snows return, with afternoon thunderstorms common at altitude.
Permits: No fee permit or quota applies; the Weminuche Wilderness is generally open for free self-issued or unregulated backcountry travel under standard national forest wilderness rules.
Official trail & permit info
Always confirm current conditions, closures, and permit rules with the managing authority before your trip.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Weminuche Trail take?
Most backpackers hike the Weminuche Trail in about 2 days (1 nights out) over its 11.8 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Weminuche Trail?
The Weminuche Trail climbs roughly 3,471 ft total — about 294 ft per mile, topping out near 11,312 ft.
When is the best time to hike the Weminuche Trail?
Roughly July through September, after the high country snowpack melts out and before autumn snows return, with afternoon thunderstorms common at altitude.
Do you need a permit for the Weminuche Trail?
No fee permit or quota applies; the Weminuche Wilderness is generally open for free self-issued or unregulated backcountry travel under standard national forest wilderness rules.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry and stats derived from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.