Weston Pass

Total Miles
19.6

Elevation

3,637.61 ft

Duration

2 Hours

Technical Rating

Easy

Best Time

Summer, Fall

Trail Overview

A nice, scenic drive, especially if you like seasonal colors. There is a campground available as well as some great camping spots along the South Fork of South Platte River and Big Union Creek.

Photos of Weston Pass

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Difficulty

Easy. Suitable for passenger cars in good weather on the east side. High clearance and 4-wheel drive is needed on the west side.

History

In the 1860s and 1870s, Weston Pass was a busy toll road for freight wagons and stagecoaches. At its peak, the road was used by hundreds each day. When the railroads reached Leadville in the early 1880s, use of the road declined rapidly. The numbered wagon-wheel signs along the road are part of an auto tour. A flyer for the tour can be picked up at forest ranger stations in Fairplay and Leadville or download from the Forest Service website.

Technical Rating

Status Reports

Scenic drive up the valley and over the pass on a decent gravel road. We saw several hunters and a few campers along the way.

Officially Closed Sign

A sign posted at rich creek trail has no sxs or at a on county road

Access Description

From Fairplay: Take Hwy. 285 south 4.7 miles and turn right on C.R. 5 between mile markers 178 and 179. Follow this road southwest 7.0 miles and stay right on C.R. 22. (If coming from the south on Highway 285, turn left on C.R. 22 between mile markers 173 and 172. Travel west 7.1 miles and turn left where C.R. 5 joins on right.) From Leadville: Take Hwy. 24 south about 7 miles and turn left on C.R. 7 to Mt. Massive Lakes. Follow reverse mileage.