Taylor Pass

Total Miles
14.9

Elevation

3,641.78 ft

Duration

3 Hours

Technical Rating

Difficult

Best Time

Summer, Fall

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

Want to see more?

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

Status Reports

Came from Taylor side. Ran a Rubicon and SbS. Some snow and ice, but still passable at least to the pass.

this trail is no longer open to ohv or atv . only highway licensed. wasted a lot of time getting here. there is no campground, as the ap would lead us to believe.

We came up from the Aspen side down to the lake and back. We did the trip in a silverado zr2 on 34s with front and rear lockers and full skid plates. You will get pinstripes if you are in a full sized truck or SUV. Shelf road up and down the express creek road was tight but doable with the help from 360 camera's. Beautiful views of the lake well worth the effort.

Excellent fall colors and magnificent views. Trail conditions were great. Only saw like 4 other Jeeps on trail. Lots of fun.

Access Description

From Aspen: From the roundabout on Hwy. 82 west of Aspen, head south on paved Castle Creek Road, F.S. 102, about 11 miles and turn left on Express Creek Road just before Ashcroft Ghost Town. From Crested Butte: First drive Pearl Pass, Trail #32. Head north on Castle Creek Road about 2 miles and turn right on Express Creek Road. From Taylor Park Reservoir: Head northwest on Taylor River Road, F.S. 742, about 12 miles to Waypoint 04 and drive trail in reverse.