Kenosha Pass a gold rush

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Kenosha Pass a gold rush

This year's annual aspen spectacular is well under way and better than average. One of the best and most popular viewing venues is along the single-track Colorado Trail at Kenosha Pass.

Look for the newer trail head, just before the campground entrance. It twists through lush foliage and pine forest before cresting into thick and numerous aspen groves and traversing a high hillside. Splendid views of nearby golden mountains and valleys can be distracting.

The aspen entertainment continues through rolling terrain to end at a gnarly road crossing at 4.5 miles. Return the way you came.

IF YOU GO

-Bicycle: Mountain bike

-Location: West of Kenosha Pass at Highway 285

-Surface: Smooth single-track and areas with roots and rocks

-Distance: Out and back is 9 miles

-Ride time: Two to three hours

-To reach Kenosha Pass: Take Highway 285 south past Bailey and Grant. At the well-signed top of Kenosha Pass, park in the area next to the highway and look for the trail sign before entering the campground.

Map of the ride

OTHER RIDES

-Colorado Trail continued: The Colorado Trail continues past the road crossing at 4.5 miles. It travels through more aspen, with steeper and more technical climbing for 5 or 6 more miles. The aspen dwindle as the climb nears timberline and Georgia Pass. After negotiating a rough initial descent, other trails eventually lead to Breckenridge.

-Boreas Pass: This is a fun route that's thick with more aspen gold. It's also one of the easiest ways to ride over the Continental Divide. Continue driving on Highway 285 to Como. Park in town and continue northwest on FR 404. It's a smooth dirt road most of the way, with easy grades and few obstacles. Boreas Pass crests at 11,482 and continues to descend nicely and easily into Breckenridge.

-Geneva City: From Highway 285 at Grant, take Guanella Pass Road 6.6 miles to the signed Geneva Creek Camp Ground. Follow FR 119 northwest through a beautiful high mountain valley with more aspen. Passing through a gate, the climb gets tough but leads to the historic Britanic Mine at Geneva City. Just above timberline, the site is littered with several surviving historical structures.

E-mail Ted Crawford at tcrawford@dslbroadband.com. Ride Guide is also available online at RockyMountainNews.com.

September 22, 2000

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