Horsethief Trail #215

Horsethief Trail #215 is an alpine out-and-back hike in the Uncompahgre Wilderness in southwest Colorado, built around the long climb from Ouray toward Bridge of Heaven at 12,300 feet. The route is typically described as strenuous/among the harder efforts in the area because of steep travel and altitude.

Plan on roughly 8 to 8.4 miles round trip to Bridge of Heaven with about 3,000 to 3,100 feet of elevation gain, usually taking around 4 to 5 hours for fit parties. The route is also commonly used for foot and horse traffic only.

The trail begins about 3.5 miles up Dexter Creek Road (CR 14), north of Ouray. Many hikers start by parking at the Dexter Creek Trailhead area and walking the last stretch up the road to the Horsethief Trailhead to reach the actual foot route.

Once you’re above treeline, expect long stretches that are exposed and not sheltered—meaning weather timing matters. Get moving early: being off the highest areas by about noon helps reduce the odds of being caught by afternoon thunderstorms.

Route conditions are typically dry-to-dirt hiking on a foot corridor, and the route is identified as dirt surface with horse access in the same corridor. Wilderness regulations apply once you enter the Uncompahgre Wilderness boundary.

If you’re driving in, the late portion of Dexter Creek Road and a creek crossing can require a high-clearance 4WD vehicle; for many parties, that translates into either a higher-clearance shuttle/vehicle strategy or starting from the Dexter Creek Trailhead and hiking the road approach.

More information: Visitor information, Visitor information, Horsethief Trail - 215 | Hinsdale County | Colorado - Hiiker