Bridge of Heaven (via the Horsethief Trail)

Yankee Boy Basin and the Mt. Sneffels Range from the Bridge of Heaven

A well-engineered 3,000-ft ascent to a knife-edge ridge with spectacular panoramic views.
See Trail Detail/Full Description

• Distance: 8.0 miles (round trip) to Bridge of Heaven
  
• Elevation: 9,300-ft. at Trailhead
  12,300-ft. at Bridge of Heaven
  
• Elevation Gain: 3,000-ft. to Bridge of Heaven
  
• Difficulty: strenuous
• More Hikes in:
  Ouray / Southwest Colorado

Why Hike Bridge of Heaven (via the Horsethief Trail)

Choose a promising day and take a walk to heaven. The aptly named Bridge of Heaven trail leads to a lofty vantage point on a narrow 12,300-ft. ridge with spectacular, panoramic views of the Cimarron Range to the northeast, the Sneffels Range to the west and Ironton and Red Mountain Pass to the south.

Getting to heaven takes some effort. The trail ascends 3,000-ft. in 4.0 miles. Thankfully a well-engineered trail makes the climb easier that it sounds. Trailhead access is another issue. Four-wheel drive is required to cross Dexter Creek and negotiate the final 2.2 miles of rough road ascending 700-ft. to the trailhead parking area.

Elevation Profile

Trail Resources

Trail Detail/Full Description / Trail Photo Gallery / Trail Map

Basecamp(s) Information:
Ouray

Region Information:
Southwest Colorado

Other Hiking Regions in:
Colorado