Horsehead Pass

Horsehead Pass is an advanced difficulty route that connects the Eagle Lakes and Cub Lakes Trails. It is 2.2 miles of steep, technical switchbacks both up and down as it ascends 700 feet above Boiling Lake, and then descends 550 feet back down to the intersection with Eagle Lakes Trail. This trail has severe exposure on a ridgeline and exposed rock obstacles that are most suited to expert riders. The west end starts in a basin next to Boiling Lake, underneath the towering Sawtooth Ridge, with the narrow zig-zagging trail above you, but not yet visible. The trail immediately starts climbing up a series of 5 technical switchbacks, and across a talus field in between the switchbacks. It becomes very exposed as you get higher above the lake, on a narrow trail cut into the hillside. There are several exposed rock obstacles within this narrow section that you ride up when riding towards Eagle Lakes. They are short ledges, but made more difficult by the exposure, as they are on a cliff edge. You reach the top of Horsehead Pass at 7,533 feet elevation, and then have to go down 6 more switchbacks, which are not as technical, but there are still some very narrow sections of trail as it side-hills along a sloughed-off slope. The last section of trail on the east side goes through a rock garden as it crosses a massive talus field. Finally, this advanced section of trail ends when you reach the intersection with the hiking spurs to access Eagle Lake and Upper Eagle Lake. It’s overall an epic challenge for expert riders that will get your nerves going. Be prepared for changing conditions in the alpine. The trail was clear of any logs as of July 2026.