Jones Pass

Total Miles
6.6

Elevation

3,798.91 ft

Duration

3 Hours

Technical Rating

2

Easy

Best Time

Summer

Trail Overview

You can access some really good hiking from this trail at Butler Gulch and along the Continental Divide. The views at the top of the pass are unbelievable. It's fun to get there, but there really isn't anything special to see at the bottom of the west side. Open June 15 to November 15.

Photos of Jones Pass

Jones Pass
Jones Pass

Difficulty

Easy. Some embedded rock but mostly graded. Road is narrow and steep on west side of pass and may be intimidating to novice drivers.

History

From 1935 to 1950, Jones Pass was recommended for spring skiing by the Rocky Mountain News. There were three separate attempts to install lifts but all were ultimately shot down because the area was not accessible enough for large numbers of skiers. In 1937 the Colorado Mountain Club held a down-mountain Kandahar ski race in hopes to make it a yearly tradition. By 1950 plans were underway for the Interstate 70 tunnel that would go under present day Loveland Ski Area. The tunnel offered more accessible ski areas to the public.

Technical Rating

2

Status Reports

Brandon Bowen
Jul 04, 2024
4x4
Obstructed
Deep Snow
Hubert Van Der Heijden
Jun 25, 2024
4x4
Obstructed
Deep Snow
Still snow covered — turned around at 11,870
Noah Wills
Jun 19, 2024
2016 Subaru Outback
Obstructed
Deep Snow
Pass becomes blocked by snow 2.5 miles in or around 11,500 ft. Photo from the highest I went.
William Helstowski
Jun 17, 2024
2022 Toyota 4Runner
Obstructed
Deep Snow
Trail is clear until about halfway then disappears under the snow. Picture is from the highest point we went before turning around.

Access Description

From Empire, travel about 7 miles north on U.S. 40. Just past Berthoud Falls, turn left forHenderson Mine before going around giant bend. Follow paved road west 1.6 miles. At gate to Henderson Mine, turn right on gravel road, F.S. 144, at sign to Jones Pass. Continue another half mile to wide parking area on left.

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