Leadville: Weston Pass (west)
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Quietly nestled in the Mosquito Range between the Arkansas Valley and South Park, Weston Pass is a place of unspeakable beauty. The road parallels Big Union Creek through an extremely picturesque valley of meadows bounded by the lush pine forests of the Buffalo Peaks Wilderness area to the south. You are likely to see grazing elk near the abandoned homestead and prospect sites and, if you're lucky, you may also see bighorn sheep grazing high on the ridges.
The ride itself is one of the more moderate efforts when compared to some of the other alpine passes in the Leadville area. This is a popular area for auto-tourists and ATVs so use caution on your descent.
The ride itself is one of the more moderate efforts when compared to some of the other alpine passes in the Leadville area. This is a popular area for auto-tourists and ATVs so use caution on your descent.
USGS Quadrangles:
Leadville South, Mount Sherman
Ride length: 15.2 miles
Ride type: out-and-back
Riding time: 2.5 hours
Surface: jeep road
Elevations: start/end 9,545’; max 11,935’; min 9,545’
Total climbing: gain/loss 2,410’
Aerobic level: strenuous (climbing, altitude)
Technical level: 3 (the road is rocky in places and the descent is fast)
Season: July through October
Getting there: from the stoplight at 6th St. and Harrison Ave. (US 24) in downtown Leadville, drive 7.4 miles east (south- toward Buena Vista) on US 24. Turn left (east) on CR 7 and after driving about 2.5 miles, bear right at the fork. Continue for another 0.6 miles on CR 7 until you reach the small parking pullout on the right just past the cattle guard and boundary to the Mt. Massive Lakes development. Park here and the ride starts at your car.
Respect local residents by obeying the posted speed limit and by not parking within the Mount Massive Lakes residential area.
Ride type: out-and-back
Riding time: 2.5 hours
Surface: jeep road
Elevations: start/end 9,545’; max 11,935’; min 9,545’
Total climbing: gain/loss 2,410’
Aerobic level: strenuous (climbing, altitude)
Technical level: 3 (the road is rocky in places and the descent is fast)
Season: July through October
Getting there: from the stoplight at 6th St. and Harrison Ave. (US 24) in downtown Leadville, drive 7.4 miles east (south- toward Buena Vista) on US 24. Turn left (east) on CR 7 and after driving about 2.5 miles, bear right at the fork. Continue for another 0.6 miles on CR 7 until you reach the small parking pullout on the right just past the cattle guard and boundary to the Mt. Massive Lakes development. Park here and the ride starts at your car.
Respect local residents by obeying the posted speed limit and by not parking within the Mount Massive Lakes residential area.
The Ride:
-0.0 From your car, ride east on CR 7. The entire ride is on CR 7.
-1.0 Enter the San Isabel National Forest.
-2.3 The road surface gets a little rougher.
-4.1 The road gets steeper for the next quarter-mile. When you get to the top of the steep section, check out the magnificent view of Mount Massive behind you.
-4.5 Continue straight on CR 7 past the intersection with TR 150 on your left.
-5.4 Continue straight on CR 7 past an unmarked spur (FSR 425) on the left.
-5.9 Continue on CR 7 past the intersection with a double-track spur on your left.
-7.6 Arrive at the summit of Weston Pass and the boundary separating the San Isabel and Pike National Forests. Look for bighorn sheep, elk and
deer grazing in the alpine meadows surrounding you.
Options: drop over the east side of the pass and explore the Ruby Mine and other historic sites designated by numbered signs. The road descends steeply on
the east side, so save some strength for the return trip.
There are more riding options for the eastern slope of this pass in the South Park section of the printed guide.
-1.0 Enter the San Isabel National Forest.
-2.3 The road surface gets a little rougher.
-4.1 The road gets steeper for the next quarter-mile. When you get to the top of the steep section, check out the magnificent view of Mount Massive behind you.
-4.5 Continue straight on CR 7 past the intersection with TR 150 on your left.
-5.4 Continue straight on CR 7 past an unmarked spur (FSR 425) on the left.
-5.9 Continue on CR 7 past the intersection with a double-track spur on your left.
-7.6 Arrive at the summit of Weston Pass and the boundary separating the San Isabel and Pike National Forests. Look for bighorn sheep, elk and
deer grazing in the alpine meadows surrounding you.
Options: drop over the east side of the pass and explore the Ruby Mine and other historic sites designated by numbered signs. The road descends steeply on
the east side, so save some strength for the return trip.
There are more riding options for the eastern slope of this pass in the South Park section of the printed guide.
Topo with elevation profile:
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