Name: Chief Mountain Trail #58
Rating: 4.4

Toolbox

Plan in onX Backcountry

Driving directions
Download GPX File

Know This Trail?

Upload a photo

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · Views

Family Friendly Lower effort high reward, not too long, peak at the end, great views and interesting terrain features. 5 and up.

Description

Passing through a spruce and fir forest, you reach treeline in just a short distance. Here, the alpine tundra begins.

The last stretch of the trail offers an overlook of the Bear Creek Basin, including Mount Evans, Mount Goliath, Rogers Peak and Roslin Peak.

Contacts

Land Manager: USFS - Arapaho National Forests - Clear Creek Ranger District

Shared By:

Tom Robson

Full Details

Trail Ratings

4.4 from 58 votes

#1

in Idaho Springs

#30

Overall

4.4 from 58 votes

5 Star		48%
4 Star		45%
3 Star		7%
2 Star		0%
1 Star		0%

Trail Rankings

#1

in Idaho Springs

#7

in Colorado

#30

Overall

54 Views Last Month

12,003 Since Jul 1, 2015

		4%
		4%
		80%
		2%
		11%
		0%

Add a Photo

Photos

Sep 12, 2019 near Idaho S…, CO

May 27, 2018 near Idaho S…, CO

May 27, 2018 near Idaho S…, CO

May 27, 2018 near Idaho S…, CO

Oct 4, 2016 near Idaho S…, CO

Bird catching air currents at the summit.

Sep 12, 2019 near Idaho S…, CO

1 Comment

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Unknown

Update Conditions See History

Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Jul 10, 2025

Ari R.

Oct 7, 2024

Mike Moore

Oct 5, 2024

Mike Moore

Sep 16, 2023

Tarita Fisher Boersma

with Rae and Max! 3.1mi — 1h 51m

May 27, 2023

Tyler B

Great trail and great views, was probably 75% covered in easily navigable snow with a gritty sandy texture. A couple of slippery spots, spikes woul… 3mi — 2h 20m

Feb 12, 2023

Matt Culpepper

To Papoose Mtn (1.4/500) 1.4mi

Oct 5, 2022

Erin Andersen

3.3mi — 2h 15m

Jul 28, 2022

Ryan Bowman

Jun 20, 2022

Scott Hall

May 1, 2021

Matt Glocke

still snowpacked, awesome views!! 1.5mi — 1h 10m

Feb 26, 2021

A Chun

3.6mi — 2h 36m

Jan 10, 2021

Jeff S

Beautiful day. Blue skies, light new snow

Oct 7, 2020

Katya G

3mi out and back. Linked with Squaw trail for extra milage 3mi — 1h 20m

Aug 9, 2020

J M

Aug 9, 2020

Daylene York

3mi

Aug 2, 2020

Mike Sanders

Jul 30, 2020

David Hikes

Jul 20, 2020

Mary Kreikemeier

Jul 20, 2020

Claire McDaniel

Many times

Jul 17, 2020

Matt Culpepper

2nd Summit (3/1000) 3mi

Jul 8, 2020

Kathryn Clark

Jun 20, 2020

Scott Meier

Jun 15, 2020

Private User

Jun 13, 2020

Alex Kearney

Jun 7, 2020

Taylor West

Jun 6, 2020

Vanessa Bayer

May 31, 2020

Mr Hiker

Apr 19, 2020

Josh B

Mar 23, 2020

Joey Besong

Jan 16, 2020

Mathew Reynolds

1.5mi — 12h 00m

Dec 22, 2019

Jason Berling

Nov 24, 2019

Carolyn Jungels

Oct 14, 2019

David Hikes

Oct 6, 2019

Peter Mallett

Sep 28, 2019

Taylor West

Sep 15, 2019

Gardner Allen

Did it with billy!

Sep 5, 2019

Ben Krantz

Sep 3, 2019

Carolyn Jungels

Sep 1, 2019

I M

Aug 17, 2019

Michael Eck

Aug 10, 2019

Lily Douglas

excellent trail!! great views along the way and at the top. bring a windbreaker on cooler days.

Aug 10, 2019

Gina G

Jul 28, 2019

Manuel Oros

Jul 23, 2019

Gabriela Arcan

Easy hike with beautiful views from the top. If you leave after 69

Jul 20, 2019

David Mata

Jul 19, 2019

Sara M

Jul 13, 2019

Spencer Cady

Jun 30, 2019

Valerie F.

No snow, great and easy hike to warm legs after not hiking for a very long time 3mi

Jun 30, 2019

S C

Jun 20, 2019

Michael Kontos

A little wet in spots due to snow melt but otherwise a very good trail. 3mi — 1h 45m

Jun 16, 2019

Samuel Canuto

Some mud and ice patches but not so hard. The trail is not so hard but some poles could help a lot. Great 360° view at the top. Very beautiful la… 3.5mi — 4h 00m

May 6, 2019

Ryan William

May 5, 2019

Cheryl McMaster

3mi — 2h 35m

Mar 1, 2019

Ryan Berger

Jan 13, 2019

Cynthia B.

Jan 1, 2019

Izzat Mukattash

Went on Dec 29, packed snow, but needed traction equipment. Beautiful sunrise! 3.2mi

Dec 30, 2018

Rob Cannon

Dec 24, 2018

J Hiker

Mostly snow packed and easy to follow. No need for snowshoes but traction is suggested. Exposed rock sections toward top. Great views and not crowded 1.5mi

Dec 21, 2018

Private User

Oct 23, 2018

Patrick Csongei

Snow on the trail - we used traction and it was definitely helpful. It may not be necessary but it made the hike up and down much easier 3mi — 1h 22m

Sep 29, 2018

Meghan Hollaback

clear and beautiful 2.7mi

Sep 22, 2018

Matt Culpepper

Beautiful day. Smoke haze not bad until dusk. 3mi

Sep 10, 2018

Megan Shannon

Sep 8, 2018

Tom Hawk

Aug 26, 2018

Andrea C

Aug 23, 2018

J M

3mi — 1h 30m

Aug 19, 2018

Craig Overturf

Aug 11, 2018

Jpietr03 P

Jul 21, 2018

Robin J

2.8mi

Jul 17, 2018

Rachel Franck

1.5mi

Jul 15, 2018

Colin Hensen

3mi

Jul 8, 2018

Cristina Vilella

May 27, 2018

Andrew S

3mi

Apr 29, 2018

Micki Balder

55 to summit. A little tiring going up but not too bad. Windy and cold at the top. All snow despite the warmer weather. Great views 3mi

Apr 23, 2018

Mason Hebert

Fantastic hike through pines, to great rock formations and endless mountain vista views

Apr 15, 2018

Aaron Rodgers

1.5mi

Apr 15, 2018

Maggie Hoomanawanui

1.5mi

Mar 25, 2018

Patrick Csongei

hiked this trail after squaw mountain and thoroughly enjoyed it. the trail was mostly packed down ice and snow, so my spikes were pretty essential.… 3.2mi

Feb 2, 2018

Lennie Noiles

Nice hike. Snow packed in the trees. Hiking boots were adequate. Windy above tree line. Be prepared

Feb 2, 2018

Daylene York

Short hike with beautiful views from the top! 3mi

Dec 10, 2017

Mark Warner

3mi

Nov 24, 2017

Madison Martin

Nov 23, 2017

Colin Christopher

Snowy first mile, dry up top, super windy at summit. #OptOutside! 3mi

Oct 21, 2017

Aaron Mitz

Very snowing and icy 3mi

Sep 21, 2017

Travis Cooper

Sep 17, 2017

William Lauffer

Fun quick hike with amazing views. 1.5mi

Sep 10, 2017

Andrew N

Sep 10, 2017

Jonathan Bihl

Aug 30, 2017

Eddie Vejvoda

Aug 11, 2017

Brian Rempel

Quick hail storm blew through on the way down. 3mi

Aug 1, 2017

Caitlin Alcock

Jul 30, 2017

mniessen

Jul 16, 2017

Tracy Meola

Gorgeous hike.

Jul 12, 2017

Rick Zieser

Jul 10, 2017

Kelley Louise

Jun 25, 2017

Scott Hunter

Great uphill hike. Not difficult with frequent breaks. Majestic view at the top. Lots of scavenger chipmunks at the summit. 1.5mi

Jun 24, 2017

William King

Jun 17, 2017

Sara Penchev

Jun 16, 2017

Sarah Hartman

Windy. Slow stroll through nature 4.4mi

Jun 3, 2017

Zach Mecom

Feb 5, 2017

Elvis Riggs

Oct 2, 2016

Joe Tiberio

Jul 28, 2016

Tom Michaels

Aug 1, 2015

Lauren Morris

Hiked to summit with mom & Cody. 8/1/2015

Jul 25, 2015

Amanda Chatman

Jun 14, 2014

Kenzie Ratterree

Nearby Recommended Routes

Mestaa'ėhehe Mountain

2.2 mi 3.5 km • 570' Up 173.68 m Up • 569' Down 173.29 m Down

Idaho S…, CO

Beautiful overlook of both Chicago Lakes and Idaho Springs Reservoir in the distance.

Chicago Lakes Trail #52

12.2 mi 19.6 km • 3,159' Up 962.92 m Up • 3,159' Down 962.93 m Down

Georgetown, CO

Serious snow makes the Hidden Fawn Trail a little spicy!

Three Sisters Loop

3.8 mi 6.1 km • 526' Up 160.2 m Up • 525' Down 160.13 m Down

Evergreen, CO

Chavez and Beaver Brook Trail Loop

5.1 mi 8.3 km • 1,018' Up 310.19 m Up • 1,021' Down 311.12 m Down

Genesee, CO

This is the outlook from Panorama Point.

Panorama Point to Bear Creek Trail Loop

2.7 mi 4.3 km • 622' Up 189.71 m Up • 616' Down 187.79 m Down

Kittredge, CO

Back down in the valley close to where the trail links back up with Bear Creek Trail.

Lair o' the Bear Out and Back

6.8 mi 11.0 km • 1,202' Up 366.31 m Up • 1,201' Down 366.15 m Down

Genesee, CO

Your Rating:
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites:	Add To-Do · Your List

Chief Mountain Trail #58

“An easily-accessible hike right up the hill from Idaho Springs with unbelievable views. ”

1.5

2.4

Point to Point

11,672' 3,558 m

10,722' 3,268 m

950' 289 m

0' 0 m

12%

25%

Toolbox

Know This Trail?

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · Views

Family Friendly Lower effort high reward, not too long, peak at the end, great views and interesting terrain features. 5 and up.

Description

Contacts

Shared By:

Trail Ratings

#1

#30

#1

#7

#30

Photos

1 Comment

Comment Type:

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Check-Ins

Nearby Recommended Routes

Mestaa'ėhehe Mountain

Chicago Lakes Trail #52

Three Sisters Loop

Chavez and Beaver Brook Trail Loop

Panorama Point to Bear Creek Trail Loop

Lair o' the Bear Out and Back

Join the Community! It's FREE