Corona Pass aka Rollins Pass West

full-limited Icon
4.3/5 (23 reviews)
Winter Park, Colorado (Grand County)
Last Updated: 07/03/2023

Trail Information

Highlights

Corona Pass once held the title of the country's highest elevation rail stop. The trail is located just outside Winter Park, along the Continental Divide at 11,660 feet above sea level. Although this pass has been used for thousands of years by humans and animals, not until the mining and railroad booms of the 1900s did machinery begin summiting the treacherous pass. Today, the pass is no longer linked on both ends, thus creating two dead-end routes. Making your approach from the west to the top of Rollins Pass, you will be greeted with breathtaking panoramic views, endless wildflowers, and incredible campsites that are sure to make your Instagram followers jealous.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Navigation

Trail Reviews

4.3/5 (23)
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 09/07/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Great views. Several hunting camps, and hunters on ATVs
Trail Review: Corona Pass aka Rollins Pass West - Keith Priest
Trail Review: Corona Pass aka Rollins Pass West - Keith Priest
View More Images
Open
Visited: 07/27/2023

According to PreserveRollinsPass.com: UPDATE: Rollins Pass West: Open to the summit for vehicles; 501.1 (the upper Boulder Wagon Road) is also open to its eastern terminus. There will be road maintenance work, likely to replace the damaged metal culverts, beginning August 10th and lasting for approximately 10 days. Heavy equipment and maintenance is expected to cause delays but not expected to result in any closures. Additionally, anticipate limited parking at the summit now through August 12-13 due to supplies for a fencing
User Avatar
inline-aa Icon
200
Partially Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 07/02/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Drove the trail on July 1. Gate was closed just before waypoint 11 which is the Riflesight Notch trestle bridge. The sign on the gate said the rest of the road was closed due to extended snowmelt and road damage. We hiked the rest of the way to the top and the road looked to be in fine shape. Didn't see any areas that are washed out or with major rutting. The road is also snow free all the way to the top. There are some large snowbanks on the side of the road but they are not blocking the road. The rest of the road should be opened soon. The road is the former railbed for the Moffat Hill Route so the grade is very steady and not steep. The road is in very good shape and can be driven by most SUVs. While high clearance definitely makes the drive easier, it is not required. There are a few sections that are rock gardens which make them bumpy but the rocks are not so high that they would cause damage to the underside of a SUV. Just take it slow through those sections. Our stock Wrangler had no issues whatsoever. We didn't even put it in 4WD. As far as the route goes, the views are amazing. Riflesight Notch trestle bridge is cool to see. There isn't much to see at the town of Corona. Only foundations are left and even those have mostly deteriorated. The signs at the top of the pass provide a lot of interesting history on the challenge of getting the railroads across the Continental Divide.
Trail Review: Corona Pass aka Rollins Pass West - Art F
Trail Review: Corona Pass aka Rollins Pass West - Art F
View More Images
Partially Open
Rated 4/5
Visited: 06/18/2023

Gate closed just after waypoint 7. Long hike from there!
Open
Rated 4/5
Visited: 10/30/2022
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Ran this trail expecting some snow, it was mostly covered for about 70% of the trail however as Matt pointed out it is not very deep snow and doesn't pose any real issues. I made it with no problems up until the Train Trestle (waypoint 12), after which the snow got noticeably more slippery. I was on my own in my Forester Wilderness and I didn't feel super confident continuing onwards as it was my first time driving in the snow. After a 5 or so point turn, I headed back with no issues. Overall a great trail with some awesome views!
Trail Review: Corona Pass aka Rollins Pass West - Lalo Martinez
Trail Review: Corona Pass aka Rollins Pass West - Lalo Martinez
View More Images

From the Community

Start a free trial and get this level of detail on every trail guide
Start Free Trial