Best Hikes Near Ironton, CO: Hayden Ridge Trail; Photos & Guide

If you're looking for scenic hikes near Ironton, Colorado (the ghost town between Silverton and Ouray) then you'll want to seriously consider the Hayden Ridge Trail, starting right from Crystal Lake on Highway US-550!

Easily accesible with any vehicle, this trail starts directly from the Million Dollar Highway. There is a small pulloff area directly next to Crystal Lake where you can park your vehicle and begin the hike. Start by walking past the locked gate (that prevents vehicles from entering the area) and proceed across the dam to the trail register. There is a small booklet there where you should register the number of people in your party before beginning the hike. This registery is managed by the park service, in an effort to maintain trails as well as keep track of who is hiking in the area, in case of emergencies.

After signing in, contine straight (past the sign with an arrow desginating the Hayden Ridge Trail) into the forest. Almost immediately, the trail begins up a series of steep switchbacks that cut through a beautiful forest of pine and aspen trees. For the first mile, you will primarily be hiking through the woods, with limited views. However, after about a mile or so, the forest will start to thin out as you reach the treeline.

Once above the treeline, the views open up to some seriously majestic scenery inluding the Red Mountains (behind you) and beautiful grassy alpine meadows. If you happened to do this hike in mid-summer, you'll likely be treated to millions of blooming wildflowers, too!

Although this trail is only 3 miles (each way) it is very strenuous, as it is steep the entire way. In fact, if you do the whole thing, you can expect to gain 2,900 feet of elevation in only 3 miles. To make matters more challenging, much of the trail is loose gravel, which can feel like trying to walk up the down escalator at times. Don't let that discourage you, though, as the scenery just continues getting more and more beautiful as you go!

Once out of the forest, the switchbacks continue through steep grassy meadows. The good news is the trail is very well established and easy to follow, meaning the chances of getting lost on this one are slim-to-none! Basically, the only way to go off trail is to climb or decend slopes that basically equate to cliffs - which nobody in their right mind would do willingly!

Continue following the well-worn trail though the grassy meadows, until you eventually reach the ridgeline. Once on the ridge, the trail mellows out, although only for a very short time. Soon, you will descend the other side of the ridge a ways, only to begin climbing back up again.

The crux of this trail is a very steep, loose, gravelly section along the ridge. Although the sketchy section is only about 25 yards, crossing this area will require your full attention - one careless step here could send you sliding 100+ yards down a very steep slope, with nothing but sharp boulders to break your fall. To make matters worse, the larger rocks beside the trail make for tempting hand holds, however they are also very loose, and grabbing one could bring it toppling down on top of you. Serious mountaineers will have no problem crossing this section, however beginner hikers may find this to be a good turn around point. To be honest, the views don't get much better beyond this point anyway.

After the crux, the trail continues through a number of grassy meadows, crossing tiny streams and the chasms they have created in the side of the mountain. For the most part, the trail is very walkable and pretty easy given the steepness, however a few of the "stream" crossings have very steep dropoffs that could result in serious injury of you fell off, and again, the ground is very slippery with loose pea-sized gravel, so extreme caution is necessary.

Overall, this is an extremely beautiful but challenging hike, given the short distance and steep terrain. At only 3 miles each way, the Hayden Ridge trail makes for a phenomenal day hike for anyone looking for a quick adventure while travelling between Silverton and Ouray.

Quick note: The pictures on this page are not in any specific order.

Enjoy some more photos from the Hayden Ridge Trail, in Ironton CO!