Top 8 Scenic Spots Near Telluride
# 8 - Cross Mountain

The Details

LOCATION:  trailhead is on the west side of Colorado 145, approximately 17 miles south of Telluride

LAST VISIT: 2023

DOES IT REQUIRE HIKING/WALKING: Yes, 3.6 miles and 2,122' elevation gain one way (out and back trail)

DOES IT REQUIRE 4WD/HIGH CLEARANCE: No, the parking lot is right off the highway

The Cross Mountain hike was a tough one. (Keep in mind that I'm not in the greatest physical condition... most trail guides list it as "moderately challenging.") It's an out and back trail that is 3.6 miles one way, with an elevation gain of 2,122 feet. What I found challenging was that the hike going up didn't really have any ups and downs or flat areas; it was all "up," all the way. When we got to the point where Cross Mountain trail intersects with Lizard Head trail, we continued west on Lizard Head trail to the top of the first ridge for a great spot for our lunch before turning back.

The reward for our hard work was spectacular! The trail intersects with the Lizard Head trail. The intersection is near the base of Lizard Head peak, above the treeline and surrounded by peaks in all directions. On the day we made the hike, we didn't see another person on the route after we emerged out of the forest and got above the treeline. We had the peaks completely to ourselves.

The area at the top of the trail is particularly interesting to photograph, because there was so much contrast with the stark black rock, the green trees, and the deep yellows and oranges in all of the groundcover plants as the colors were changing for the season.

Summary

It's not an easy trail, but the view is well worth it. The first two and a half miles of the trail is surrounded by forest, so if you aren't able to hike the entire trail, it wouldn't be very rewarding to just do a small portion of it. A more accessible scenic spot nearby is the Lizard Head Rest Area, approximately 2 miles north of the trailhead.