Colorado Trails

Weston Pass

4.4/5 (26 reviews)

Leadville, Colorado (Lake County)

Last Updated: 08/21/2022

Zoom in to see trails...

Trail Information

Highlights

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

Add Trail Review Jump to Waypoints

Start your next adventure on Weston Pass

Upgrade your Membership

Unlock all of the details on every single trail guide.

Start a 7-day Free Trial

Ryan Boudreau

Official Crew

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.

1. Weston Pass Western Trailhead (0 mi)

Weston Pass - Waypoint 1: Weston Pass Western Trailhead

Weston Pass begins as a paved road just off of Highway 24. There are several markers to note the turn including a directional sign about a 1/4 mile before the turn on the highway, the Lake County Road 7 sign, a long row of mailboxes, and also the Mt. Massive Lakes directional sign. Continue down the paved road for the next 2 miles past many driveways and neighborhood entrances. Depending on the size of your group, this is the ideal location to air down if you are going to do so.

2. Pavement Ends (2.4 mi)

The road turns to dirt at just before 2.5 miles. The road is not very wide, nor does it have good visibility, so attempting to air down here is not a good idea.

3. Road Split - Stay Right (2.6 mi)

Weston Pass - Waypoint 3: Road Split - Stay Right

As you come to the first Y intersection along the road, continue to the right. The left is a private drive.

4. Camp Spot (4.97 mi)

This is the first of many camp spots along the road. It is very grassy but could also be soggy with a lot of rain.

5. Camp Spot (5.08 mi)

This is a large camp spot suitable for several vehicles and tents.

6. Camp Spot (5.81 mi)

This camp spot is a nice pull-through spot for someone with a trailer. It is right next to the creek providing a relaxing ambiance.

7. Camp Spot (6.38 mi)

Another pull-through type camp spot with plenty of wide-open flat ground.

8. Large Camp Spot (6.68 mi)

Weston Pass - Waypoint 8: Large Camp Spot

This large established camp spot would be ideal for large groups as there is a ton of open, flat space, and a large fire pit.

9. Camp Spot (7.08 mi)

This spot is a little more secluded as it is off the road and down by the creek.

10. Waterfall on Left (7.53 mi)

Weston Pass - Waypoint 10: Waterfall on Left

This small pullout on the left as the road begins to curve, marks the location of a nice waterfall.

11. FSR 150 - Stay Right / Southeast (7.98 mi)

Weston Pass - Waypoint 11: FSR 150 - Stay Right / Southeast

Stay to the right as the road splits with FSR 150.

12. Unknown Road - Stay Right / Southeast (8.97 mi)

Weston Pass - Waypoint 12: Unknown Road - Stay Right / Southeast

Stay to the right at this unknown road split.

13. Weston Pass Hut Entrance- Continue Straight (11.59 mi)

Weston Pass - Waypoint 13: Weston Pass Hut Entrance- Continue Straight

Continue straight along the main road. This is the entrance for the Weston Pass Hut which is a private hut available for rent.

14. Weston Pass Hut (11.34 mi)

Weston Pass - Waypoint 14: Weston Pass Hut

This is the Weston Pass Hut which is a private rental unit that provides amazing views for its renters. Check out the website for more details: www.westonpasshut.com.

15. Weston Pass Summit (11.71 mi)

Weston Pass - Waypoint 15: Weston Pass Summit

You have now reached the 11,921' Weston Pass summit and have entered into the Pike National Forest. The road changes over to County Road 22 at this point. Continue your descent down the pass towards Fairplay.

16. FSR 162 - Stay Straight, Downhill (11.92 mi)

Weston Pass - Waypoint 16: FSR 162 - Stay Straight, Downhill

Stay to the right going downhill. FSR 162 is the hard left turn you see here which is a more difficult route that parallels Weston Pass road. If you are in a long-wheelbase vehicle, or one with low ground clearance, avoid this spur.

17. FSR 162 - Stay Straight, Downhill (13.52 mi)

Weston Pass - Waypoint 17: FSR 162 - Stay Straight, Downhill

Continue down the road. FSR 162 reconnects at this juncture.

18. Camp Spot (15.65 mi)

The eastern side of the pass is just as riddled with camp spots as the western side. This particular spot is a nice pull-through spot with a great view across the beaver pond. Although we did not see any wildlife at the time, it's highly likely you would see wildlife in this area.

19. Weston Pass Campground (16.53 mi)

Weston Pass - Waypoint 19: Weston Pass Campground

Weston Pass Campground is an improved, first come first served campground that charges around $15 per night. The campground only operates in the summer months. According to the Forest Service, "Weston Pass Campground is located adjacent to Buffalo Peaks Wilderness on the east side. It has 14 campsites with a maximum trailer length of 25 feet; elevation is 10,200 feet; camping season begins in May and continues to early October with reduced service. Facilities include toilets, tables, and fire rings. There is no water or trash service at this campground. You must pack everything out."

20. Rich Creek Trailhead (17.7 mi)

Weston Pass - Waypoint 20: Rich Creek Trailhead

This is the trailhead for Rich Creek, which provides access into the Buffalo Peaks Wilderness. Combining this with Tumble Creek Trail (aka Rough and Tumbling Trail) you can form a loop of about ten miles. There is room for roughly a dozen vehicles here.

21. Weston Pass Eastern Trailhead (20.63 mi)

Weston Pass - Waypoint 21: Weston Pass Eastern Trailhead

Weston Pass ends at the intersection of County Road 5. This is the ideal location to air back up as there is a lot of space and great visibility for other drivers. From this point, you are 7 miles from Highway 285 either direction you head. Take a left to head towards Fairplay, or take a right to head towards Antero Junction, Colorado Springs, and Buena Vista.

Trail Reviews

4.4/5 (26 reviews)

Dave

900

Status: 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.

Dave

900

Status: 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.

Ray

6300

Status: 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!

View More Images

Tracy Barker

Official Crew

28100

Status: Open

Rated 4/5

Visited: 08/21/2022

Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

I drove Weston Pass on Sunday, 8-21-2022. A few of us had camped near Leadville, and took Weston Pass back to US 285 via County Road 22. (US 285 is closed 100-yards north of CR 22, where the bridge over South Fork South Platte River is being rebuilt). Weston Pass is in good condition, relatively, but be aware of potential erosion and cautious of water puddles due to rain.

Trail Review: Weston Pass - Tracy Barker

View More Images

Shane DeMars

1900

Status: Open

Rated 3/5

Visited: 08/14/2022

Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Makes a decent loop with Mosquito pass. Highly recommend adding the short side road if you want a little more interesting wheeling experience. Great views on the main route just don't expect anything technical.