Hagerman Pass

Spent the day on the pass installing new kiosk signs. Beautiful day, but there was a lot of traffic for the holiday weekend.

Great way to get from Leadville to Aspen if you have the right vehicle. If the first rocky section (on the east) has you questioning the ability of your vehicle, it's time to turn around. It doesn't get easier. The ruts were not too bad, but there is a section of road where the center is washed out and super deep...maybe at least 2 feet. The road on either side is not stable. It's possible to get over in a Jeep, but a bit more technical and risky than one might expect on this trail. I attempted the driver line and still ended up slipping into the middle section, probably worsening the problem... and I'm likely not the only one. The river crossing on the western side was at least two feet deep on a rainy day, but not a problem. Because of the washout section, this is currently at least a 4. Based on other comments, that section shouldn't be there. On that case, 2-3.

Great way to get from Leadville to Aspen if you have the right vehicle. If the first rocky section (on the east) has you questioning the ability of your vehicle, it's time to turn around. It doesn't get easier. The ruts were not too bad, but there is a section of road where the center is washed out and super deep...maybe at least 2 feet. The road on either side is not stable. It's possible to get over in a Jeep, but a bit more technical and risky than one might expect on this trail. I attempted the driver line and still ended up slipping into the middle section, probably worsening the problem... and I'm likely not the only one. The river crossing on the western side was at least two feet deep on a rainy day, but not a problem. Because of the washout section, this is currently at least a 4. Based on other comments, that section shouldn't be there. On that case, 2-3.

I agree with the others saying 3 is generous for this trail. The ruts and the gate keeper on the west side are the only 2 points that get it a 3 except the giant wash out between 9 and 10 currently, that is not supposedto be there. The whole center of the trail is rutted 18-24 inches deep.

Very scenic trail. The only section that gave me pause were the ruts at waypoint 7, but I didn't have any difficulty. Only saw a couple of other vehicles.

Pretty good run, I would say waypoint 7 is a 3, and the only rough part and everything else was a 2ish. Buddy ran a stock Bronco with no issue.

I really enjoyed this trail. Nothing super technical at all. A stock 4x4 with normal high clearance can do this trail for sure. Waypoint 7 is the most technical spot and appears to be more rutted out than the photo shows. Still very doable and agree with the rating. Great camping at the summit area.

Great trail that's not too difficult but has a couple notable obstacles to keep it interesting. Amazing views for most of it!

Fun trail with great views. Some mild off camber, but nothing too crazy. Please note, this area is heavily used by SXS and dirt bikes/motorcycles. Just be alert if in a full size vehicle in some of the skinnier areas.

Went west to east. Near waypoint 10 there's a pretty big drop off and there was a mud pit I had to skirt through, wound up dragging my trailer hitch (2017 Tacoma). Waypoint 7 is *way* deeper than in the pictures and video on this page, I managed to make it through, but I had two tires off the ground at one point. Overall doable, but I'd definitely recommend having skid plates / sliders, a good spotter (props to the gf), be ready to get bounced around and pick your lines carefully. You're on rocks most of the way up too. Views at the top were alright, but I've definitely seen prettier views.

Took a lightly modified rubicon with M416 trailer and a stock JKU loaded down with gear. Rating is pretty spot on but there were longer stretches of rocks than I anticipated. My only recommendation: good off road tires for those rocks. Not too much off camber. Be careful with the washed out ruts. That was the sketchiest part. Views are spectacular. Highly recommended.

Hagerman is open for the season! There is still a large snow bank to the east of the summit but it has been cut through and melted to bare earth.

Well got to point 10 until there was to much snow. Ended up using my winch to get to that point but I feel like you should be able to punch through the snow now that there are tracks.

Just like the review says, business in the front, party in the back. Started the day off to wake up a little on this trail and was not disappointed. Beautiful views and just enough undulated surface on the second have to make it interesting. Will not be a problem in any high clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle.

Approached the pass from the west side. There had been off and on snow during the week. Ride up was fine. Snow depth was just deep enough that still had good traction. Made it to pass where the snow had picked up and wind was strong. Snow drifts pass the summit were deep so turned around and went down the way we came up. Adventurous trip.

I ran the east side to the summit and back down which I found pretty easy. Relatively smooth trail compared to others. It was refreshing to have some actual dirt worked into the trail and not just rocks. There were exactly 3 spots where the ruts were bigger and you need to pick your line carefully. Other than that it was easy. One SxS decided to make his own trail at the summit with driving through the alpine tundra. Wish he could get a ticket for that or something but he got away with it. Saw one broken down car from an earlier review still sitting on the trail. FYI the ruts in these pictures are deeper than they appear in the photos. Probably up to 24” deep at the most. They’ll catch your attention because they’re the only obstacles.

Trail was in great condition--completely open end-to-end. Not too much traffic and plenty of good places to pass. Ran in a stock Tundra TRD Off-road on ATs with no issues. Does require careful line selection in a few places but with a little experience there are no issues. Water crossing was about 6-10" deep.

Easy trail but make sure you have proper equipment. We saw 3 vehicles who should not have been there.

I always enjoy this route going East from Turquoise Lake to the West. Only a few narrow ections that get your attention if there is 2-way traffic. Sceneary is exceptional for most of the route and there are several scenic overlooks that you can pull off the trail for.

Trails is completely open. We even went to Ivanhoe lake after getting up to the summit of Hagerman Pass. Stock 2017 4Runner TRD Off-Road, no scrapes and no bumps. Very awesome trail, especially once you get past the easier terrain. Awesome views all around, would definitely bring someone who is new to offroading up here to get some experience. Overall, very fun, and 0 problems.

Darcy and I ran this at Mile Hi Jeep Clubs all4fun event. Darcy was Trail leading the daisy may run and i went along for the ride. Got to see a lot of idiots trying to drive their cars over this pass because google routed them over it as a bypass for Glenwood Springs. People..... when a sign says high clearance vehicles only this means cars should not be on this road even if google routes you here.....

The pass opened today. Definitely heard heavy machinery working up there as I was camping in Mayqueen CG. Sign now says "Trail Head Open. Hagerman Open to Lifted 4x4 vehicles only".

Tried to run this trail the night of 7/30/21 and it’s closed. Big sign near turquoise lake reading “Hagerman Pass Rd Closed. Not an alternate route to Aspen.”

Ran a recon run of this trail with Mile Hi Jeep club in preparation for All4fun event July 3oth to Aug 8th. This trail is extremely easy to find just a simple left off the main road just up from Turquoise lake past the damn. The road leading in is very wash boarded out with some deep pitted out sections so beware driving though here. Area 4 is a great wide open area to air down and i highly recommend you air down for this trail. 12lbs is what i run on this trail but if you arent worried about beads on tires go as low as 5. This trail is very Bumpy and will beat you up if your not prepared for it. The trail itself is moderately hard and I feel that 3-4 is a great rating for this trail. Moderate amount of traffic on the trail heading both directions and a lot of dispersed camping along the way. The videos at the beginning do not do justice to the washout area it is deeper than videos show. All and all great run had a great time running it...... I Look forward to trail leading this trail at All4fun this year Thursday Aug 5th 2021.

Beautiful mountain views. Mildly bumpy up to the pass summit. Easier after the summit except one rocky section but its downhill so its not bad. Baseball size rocks at largest. Included a picture of the hardest part - used 4 low and made it up no problem. Did not use 4 low the rest of the trail. Not a lot of traffic. A few spots turn into a narrow shelf road with no opportunity to pass, however the visibility range is sufficient to see any upcoming traffic at the narrow sections. Higher clearance recommended.

Just so everyone is clear on this, Hagerman Pass has reopened now that I-70 and Independence Pass have reopened from the fire closures. I ran it on Labor Day and it was extremely smokey and parts of it were pretty rough and dug out, but it was fully open. The Leadville area has since gotten significant snowfall at higher elevations, but that is melting fast now that it's warmed up, so it should be passable again soon if it's not already.

Good trail. Nothing too extreme. Actually recommend this to everyone, because you I didn't even use the 4Low at any time of the trail. Both side are good. Aspen side easy not difficult at all but you enjoy the scenery.

Hagerman Pass is temporarily closed along with nearby Crooked Creek Pass (FS 400) due to people with inappropriate vehicles attempting to drive it as a detour around the I-70 closure in Glenwood Canyon. Latest updates here: https://www.basaltchamber.org/2020/08/13/travel-notice-grizzly-creek-fire-related-detours/

Great trail for a cruise! It's extremely bumpy on the east side, but any 4wd vehicle with good ground clearance should be fine as long as you take it slow and pick your lines wisely in a few spots. The views are awesome all along this trail!! I couldn't get enough. I had heard this is a good fall trail, but I can't really see how. There are no aspen groves to speak of along the trail. Is it good viewing for other nearby mountains??? Guess I'll have to find out in the fall to be sure.