The sun really hits this hillside. That makes hiking Tenderfoot Trail in Dillon a great early season hike when other trails are still snowpacked. It’s also a good early morning hike before the heat of the day. It’s a moderate hike that takes just a couple of hours. And the views are spectacular!
Tenderfoot Trail Stats
This 3.2 mile Tenderfoot Trail loop is just one option of a variety of trails that interconnect. It starts out on the easier Oro Grande Trail for a bit before turning uphill. There is a left turn immediately when starting the trail, this is where this loop will come out. Or if you prefer, take this left uphill and hike the loop in the opposite direction. We encountered hikers and mountain bikers going both directions. Either way you choose will have some pretty good elevation gain. Going to the second uphill turn will give you 588 feet of total elevation by the time you are back to the parking lot.
Tenderfoot hike
Taking the second uphill turn starts you out on the front side of the mountain. Here you will have great lake and mountain views and plenty of sunshine on a clear day as you head up the trail. The higher you go the better the view. The mountains from Breckenridge Ski Resort to Buffalo Mountain can be seen towering above Lake Dillon. Switchbacks keep Tenderfoot Trail from getting too steep as it climbs the side of the mountain. A bench lets you sit for a bit and take in the view at 1.2 miles. Most of the elevation gain is over by this point. The trail heads into the trees and switchbacks downhill, eventually taking you back to the parking area. Stay left whenever you encounter alternate trails to stay on the loop. If you want a longer hike or bike ride, explore the turnoffs. A good map, like Mountain Bike Project or Gaia, will help you know where you are going.
It has been a while since we have done this trail. I don’t remember it having the loop option previously. It was just an out and back. To have views and sun during the entire hike or a shorter hike, go old school and turn back when you reach the bench at the 1.2 mile mark.
Check out some of the other hikes we have blogged about.
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