Horseshoe Knob–Peak 8, 4 summits
11.1 mi · ▲ 5,211 ft · 6 hr 18 min
Horseshoe Knob–Peak 8, 4 summits is an 11.1-mile out-and-back near Wheeler Junction, CO. The route passes Peak 8 before reaching Horseshoe Knob at the turnaround, 5.6 miles in. It climbs 5,211 ft, with sections as steep as 42% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 46/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Horseshoe Knob–Peak 8, 4 summits
11.1 mi · ▲ 5,211 ft · 6 hr 18 min
Elevation 9,756–13,001 ft
Out & Back
Trailhead: Wheeler Trail · 39.49734, -106.13638
Weather Sep 4: Overcast, high 70°F / low 44° · precip 10% · wind 7 mph · sunrise 6:37 AM · sunset 7:33 PM
Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Wheeler Trail, heading E.
- 3.3 miSharp left, heading SE.
- 0.9 miPass Peak 8.
- 50 ftBear right, heading N.
- 0.5 miBear right, heading E.
- 300 ftBear left, heading SE.
- 350 ftBear left, heading SE.
- 0.3 miTurn right onto Peak Eight Road, heading E.
- 350 ftBear left onto Dwights, heading E.
- 0.2 miTurn left onto Game Trail, heading N.
- 0.2 miReach Horseshoe Knob, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.2 miTurn right onto Dwights, heading N.
- 0.3 miBear right onto Peak Eight Road, heading S.
- 300 ftTurn left, heading S.
- 0.3 miBear right, heading S.
- 400 ftBear right, heading W.
- 250 ftBear left, heading W.
- 0.5 miBear left, heading NW.
- 0.9 miSharp right onto Wheeler Trail, heading S.
- 3.2 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 3.2 mi in (~155 min). Leave by 4:38 PM for the 7:33 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:06 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Toilets at the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Wheeler Trail Trailhead
- Curtain Ponds–Fremont Pass Recreational Pathway, 3 sights 1.9 mi · ▲ 82 ft
- Fremont Pass Recreational Pathway 2.6 mi · ▲ 56 ft
- Fremont Pass Recreational Pathway Loop 3.1 mi · ▲ 287 ft
- Fremont Pass Recreational Pathway Loop 3.1 mi · ▲ 286 ft
- Colorado Trail (Segment 8) 3.6 mi · ▲ 489 ft
- West Lake & Colorado Trail (Segment 8) 3.9 mi · ▲ 497 ft
Get outside more
A wild hike near Wheeler Junction, emailed to you once a week.
Hikes near Wheeler Junction, Colorado