Taylor Pass

Trail Overview

If you're heading to Taylor Park Reservoir from Aspen, this is the shortest route with beautiful views at Taylor Pass. Several other trails connect up with this trail. Unlicensed vehicles can ride in reverse, from the Taylor Park side, but must stop at the pass. Beautiful campsites available at Taylor Lake and Taylor River Road.

Photos of Taylor Pass

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Difficulty

Difficult. Long section of bowling ball-size rocks is slow-going. Reverse direction is more challenging. Creek crossing has an obstacle that changes in difficulty. Fallen trees may block trail in early spring.

History

In the 1880s, Ashcroft was a major supply center for mining in the Aspen area. The road over Taylor Pass provided a way for stagecoaches and freight to come in from Buena Vista and Taylor Park. This road was quickly abandoned, however, as Aspen became the more important mining center and a new road was built over Independence Pass. Ashcroft's fate was sealed when railroads began serving Aspen in the late 1880s.

Technical Rating