California Pass

4.8/5 (34 reviews)
Silverton, Colorado (SanJuan County)
Last Updated: 10/23/2022

Trail Information

Highlights

California Pass is a gorgeous route offering scenic vistas of the San Juan Mountains and traverses an area rich with mining history. From the top of California Pass at 12,963 feet, an amazing view looking down on the stunning Lake Como can be seen to the northwest. The eastern side of California Pass offers some of the richest mining areas Colorado had to offer in the late 1800s, with the well-preserved ghost town of Animas Forks on the trail's east end.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Navigation

Trail Reviews

4.8/5 (35)
Official Crew
27500
Impassable
Visited: 10/23/2022

A recent winter storm in the Ouray/ Silverton area has dropped a measurable amount of snow and high winds have been in the area. Some high country routes in the area may be passable but high country travel is not recommended.
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 09/18/2022
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Ran this as a "connection" between Engineer and Corkscrew. Perfect little trail that runs up into a bowl and gives a beautiful overlook to Lake Como at the top of Poughkeepsie Gulch!
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 09/18/2022

Vehicle: Xterra with mild lift Third leg of our group outing. I thought it was an a fairly easy run but worthy of its rating. Weather was perfect for an early fall day.
1300
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 09/10/2022
Difficulty Accuracy: Easier

Very easy connector trail with no real obstacles to speak. Great mine along the way to check out and explore - also makes for a great little lunch spot.
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 09/07/2022
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

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