California Pass

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4.8/5 (44 reviews)
Silverton, Colorado (San Juan County)
Last Updated: 08/18/2023

Trail Information

Highlights

California Pass is a historic four-wheel-drive road near Silverton, Colorado. It began with a purpose - to find and transport gold. Today, it is a pleasurable route offering scenic vistas of the San Juan Mountains with abundant, deeply rich, and colorful wildflowers. From the top of California Pass at 12,963 feet, look northwest for a fantastic view of the shimmering aquamarine Lake Como. The eastern side of California Pass offers glimpses of one of the most booming mining areas Colorado had to offer in the late 1800s, with the well-preserved ghost town of Animas Forks and the Frisco Mill. It is a perfect trail to combine with so many other trails that southwestern Colorado is known for and for anyone looking to get comfortable driving on shelf roads for the first time.


Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Navigation

Trail Reviews

4.8/5 (45)
This trail guide's difficulty was changed on 11/07/2023
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7600
Open
Rated 4/5
Visited: 10/01/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Scenic trail, especially during the fall when the trees are turning colors.
Trail Review: California Pass - Roger P.
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Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 09/21/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

This is an easy trail with wonderful views. We ran it from Animas Forks. 4Lo is recommended due to the steepness of the trail, but there really aren't any obstacles. There are some rocky stretches near Animas Forks and a climb to the Pass if you run it from Animas. Be sure to stop at the Pass and enjoy the blue waters of Lake Como below.
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 09/02/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

California Pass is a relatively easy trail that any 4x4 can tackle without major issues. I did it in the opposite direction as described in the trail description. Starting from Animas Forks, the first section is in a valley and doesn't pose any challenges (in September) while offering beautiful views. The second section begins the ascent (composed of small rocks and narrow paths) towards Hurricane Pass, passing through a peak over 12,000 feet in altitude.
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 08/26/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Needs 4L but nothing too intimidating. Right on par with Hurricane pass and a nice middle ground between Ophir and Imogene.
Trail Review: California Pass - Cole Phares
Trail Review: California Pass - Cole Phares
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