Pass Creek Pass

4/5 (7 reviews)
La Veta, Colorado (Costilla County)
Last Updated: 09/26/2019

Trail Information

Highlights

Pass Creek Pass is a useful route that allows one to save time traveling from one side of the Sangre De Cristo mountains to the other. Using this route saves about 30 minutes and around 32 miles from Hermit Pass to the Blanca Peak trailhead by not going through Walsenburg. Pass Creek Pass is as beautiful as it is useful. It is a great route for photography and scenic views of mountain ranges and rock formations. Make sure to pay attention to private property signs as they are on both sides of the road for almost the entire route; this does not hinder any of the scenic views. Some other sights include geology, old structures, and the town of Malachite that you pass through on the northern side.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Navigation

Trail Reviews

4/5 (7)
100
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 01/02/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

A few easy trail. I would recommend 4wd and high clearance this time of year the road was washed out, which ment a rather thick 30 ft section of ice slab. Kept momentum at a crawl no issues 2016 rebel on 33's. This is mostly just a scenic drive. Fresh air, random cows, high in the mountains mainly just a dirt road. It is not closed at all anymore.
Open
Visited: 07/07/2022
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

This road was open all the way, I didn't see any concrete barriers or local traffic only signs, but maybe I wasn't paying close enough attention. Was a nice return trip to Westcliffe after doing Medano pass south. No major obstacles, probably could have taken a Civic on the road.
Temporary Closure
Visited: 09/19/2020

Can confirm Pass Creek Road remains closed. From US-160, the concrete barriers are about 4 miles in. Someone had definitely drove around the barriers which is a terrible idea.
500
Temporary Closure
Visited: 08/31/2020

Just a heads up: Huerfano County has again announced that Pass Creek is closed. This time they put up concrete barriers and the road will stay closed for the foreseeable future. The detour is 520, which is about 10 miles south on 69.
500
Temporary Closure
Visited: 07/04/2020

After heavy rains caused flooding, Huerfano County Sheriff’s office has closed Pass Creek Road (CR 572) between highways 160 & 69 until further notice.

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