Open in App
Upload to Gaia GPS
Please wait - Uploading to Gaia GPS
Taylor Pass
Aspen,
Colorado
(Gunnison County)
Last Updated:
08/14/2023
Trail Information
Highlights
Trekking through two national forests, high in the rugged mountains of Gunnison County, Taylor Pass is an extremely fun and scenic route between Taylor Park and Aspen. Known for it's spectacular fall colors, this 4x4 off-road trail provides amazing high alpine views and will entertain everyone from the first timer, to the extreme off road enthusiast. One unique feature of this trail, which is seldom seen in any other Colorado trail, is the half mile trek in the creek on the south side of the pass.
Taylor Pass was once the main supply route from Buena Vista into the mining camps around Ashcroft, originally known as Castle Forks. Once Independence Pass was created, populations in Ashcroft plunged from 2,500 in 1883, to just 2 by 1900.
Trail Difficulty and Assessment
Start your next adventure on Taylor Pass
Upgrade your Membership
Unlock all of the details on every Trail Guide and Scout Route.
Start a 7-day Free Trial
Ryan Boudreau
Official Crew
Uploading to Gaia GPS
Share Trail
Trail Navigation
Trail Reviews
Open
Rated
1/5
Visited: 09/27/2023
Difficulty Accuracy:
Easier
I took Express Creek to the top of Taylor Pass and headed southeast towards Italian Creek. The 5 miles up Express Creek were beautiful with what I would call peak color. Unfortunately, Gunnison County took an excavator through Taylor Pass and literally removed all the meaningful obstacles off of this trail. My guess is their intention was to block off all the side trails people in SXS have created. I agree with this tactic in concept, but the result was extreme. While the scenery was a 10, I'm giving the trail a 1 star because it was so badly marred.
View More Images
Open
Rated
5/5
Visited: 08/22/2023
Difficulty Accuracy:
Spot On
Great fun with quite a few manageable obstacles to keep it interesting. Lots more side-by-sides than Jeeps but their trail etiquette was excellent (other than the overt political in-your-face flags and bumper stickers). Recommended.
Open
Rated
5/5
Visited: 08/12/2023
Difficulty Accuracy:
Spot On
We drove Taylor Pass back towards BV after opening Pearl Pass. The road is in good shape, and there was little traffic late Saturday afternoon/evening. The creek has been routed back to the original creek bed on the Taylor Park side, and water bars have been built by the road crew to keep water from rushing down the road again. Some of the rocks were removed from this section during the work, but it won't be long for it to become rough again after a season or two of continued use.
Open
Rated
3/5
Visited: 08/09/2023
Difficulty Accuracy:
Easier
Such a disappointment, the so called trail improvements have made this way to user friendly to SxS. This used to be a great trail from top to bottom now it's just the top of the trail that's good. Jeep trails should not be altered to accommodate SxS :(
Open
Visited: 07/22/2023
Difficulty Accuracy:
Spot On
Went up from the Taylor Park side. Incredible improvements to the trail. Lots of the boulders at the beginning of the trail have been bulldozed off the trail. Creek has been rerouted so not driving through creek anymore until the end when you come out in usual spot. A few large boulders removed at the creek exit. The rest of the trail rocky as usual. Easier first part of trail, but spot on for remainder to the top. Went on side x sides so not able to do Express Creek or head to Aspen although people ignoring the signs. Great day!
From the Community
Start a free trial and get this level of detail on every trail
guide
Start Free Trial
Print Trail Guide
Purchase
Company
Community
Recent Updates
By clicking "ACCEPT", you agree to be the terms and conditions of each policy linked to above. You also agree to the storing of cookies on your device to facilitate the operation and functionality of our site, enhance and customize your user experience, and to analyze how our site is used.