MTB Boreas Pass

Boreas Pass is a scenic route that lies between Como (north of Fairplay on Hwy 285) and Breckenridge. It is 21 miles of low maintenance, rough gravel road that follows the Continental Divide and summits at 11,481 feet. Other than the altitude, the ride is not difficult, as the grade is not steep or technical. Because this is a road and not a singletrack, you will have to deal with cars and their dust. Car traffic is generally low, except on holidays and during peak leaf season.

A number of singletrack trails are along the pass, including the Gold Dust Trail on the Como side and the Bakers Tank Trail on the Breckenridge side.

Aspen Alley is an intense singletrack that begins near the Boreas Pass winter trailhead (about 3 miles up from Breckenridge). This short but sweet trail descends 502’ in 0.9 mile. From the Boreas Pass winter trailhead, go south past the gate until you see an unmarked singletrack on the west side of the road.

While Boreas Pass is an easy ride, it’s worthwhile because of the spectacular views. If you can arrange for a shuttle between Como and Breckenridge, the entire length is incredibly scenic. Como is a charming little hamlet that’s in a largely agricultural area. The aspen trees line the road for several miles as you gain altitude, and in the fall it’s just incredible. As you near the summit, the aspens thin out quite a bit, but then you start to catch views of Mount Silverheels and the Tenmile Range. There are several abandoned cabins and railcars along the way. The summit has a historical site.

After you pass Bakers Tank on the right (about 6 miles from Breckenridge), you start seeing aspen trees again. You can see the mountains and Tarn Lake through the trees. The traffic is probably going to be thicker here with leaf-peepers driving out to get pictures of the incredible views.