Where is Boreas Pass?
Usa, north-america
32.18 km
3,507 m
moderate
Year-round
Cruising through central Colorado? You HAVE to check out Boreas Pass! This beauty straddles Summit and Park counties, connecting Breckenridge to Como. At a whopping 11,505 feet above sea level, you'll feel like you're on top of the world.
This 20-mile stretch of road, officially known as Boreas Pass Road (County Road 10- Forest Service Road 404), has a rich history, once serving as a narrow-gauge railroad during the gold rush days. Nowadays, it's a well-maintained gravel road that's generally passable by 2WD cars in good weather – although you'll want 4WD if it's wet or snowy. Expect some rough spots!
Give yourself about an hour to drive it without stopping, but trust me, you'll WANT to stop. The views are incredible, especially in the fall when the aspen trees are ablaze with color. You'll get stunning vistas of Mount Silverheels and the Tenmile Range. Plus, there's plenty of parking at the summit and a cool mountain hut called Ken's Cabin to explore.
Heads up: the pass is closed to vehicles from October to May, so plan your trip accordingly. Also, keep an eye out for cyclists and be aware that this narrow road can get busy, especially during peak foliage season. Even with the other traffic, the scenery makes it one of the best places to see fall colors in the state! You might even feel like you're in a ghost town!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 32.18 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,507 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
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