Weston Pass

4.4/5 (28 reviews)
Leadville, Colorado (Lake County)
Last Updated: 08/21/2022

Trail Information

Highlights

Camping
Forest
Overland
Scenic
Once known as the "Road To Riches", Weston Pass was once an extremely busy wagon road traveled by thousands of gold fevered miners, connecting the towns of Fairplay and Leadville. These days it is an easy dirt road that travels through the Pike-San Isabel National Forest connecting Lake County and Park County and traveled by outdoor enthusiasts looking for high alpine views, wilderness hikes, great camping, and spectacular fall colors.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Navigation

Weston Pass starts as a paved road through a neighborhood and quickly changes to dirt and enters the National Forest. The entire western route is a wide, mostly graded dirt road with a handful of rough rocky sections and some mud puddles. The eastern side of the pass is suitable for 2wd vehicles as it is much more maintained on that end due to several hiking trailheads. There are plenty of dispersed campsites on both ends of the pass. There is even an improved USFS campground on the eastern side.

Trail Reviews

4.4/5 (29)
Impassable
Rated 4/5
Visited: 05/13/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Tons of potholes and washout at the base from all the rain and snowmelt, pretty much requires high clearance right from the get-go. Plowed to the top, muddy and rutty but easy 4wd road. 3 feet of snow past the summit on the unmaintained (west) side, expect a couple more weeks to be passable at least. A brave 2-door on 35s was hip deep in ice and in the midst of recovery at the time, the trail was determined to not yet be broken.
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 11/02/2022
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

One of my new favorite trails for easy level. Some snow pack in shade and north side. Took our wilderness OB and had no issues. Went from Leadville to Fairplay. I didn't check the harder section out, but plan to with the Tacoma.
1000
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 09/16/2022
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Fall colors are starting as of 9/16/22. Definitely a worthwhile drive and easy in a 4Runner, the west side was a little more worn than the east. Still some camp sites available.
1000
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 09/16/2022
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Fall colors are starting as of 9/16/22. Definitely a worthwhile drive and easy in a 4Runner, the west side was a little more worn than the east. Still some camp sites available.
7000
Open
Rated 4/5
Visited: 09/04/2022
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Easy and scenic drive that gets progressively rougher (potholes/small rocks) as you head east. Camped on the east side and slept to the sounds of the creek down the hill. Colors were changing in sparse sections. Fall is here!

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