Directions:

Take Hwy 40 to the summit of Berthoud Pass, from I-70 head north, from Winter Park, head south. Park in the large parking area to the east of the pass.

Hike Description:

Colorado’s Front Range has a handful of high alpine passes that don’t require anything more than highway driving to access.  You probably drive over these passes all the time to get around the mountains.  These passes are a great way to access the high country when you are short on time or don’t want to tackle a 2,000 ft elevation gain to get above treeline.  

Berthoud Pass hosts the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail which crosses East to West on the pass.  A large parking area makes this a great spot to jump on the CDT and tackle some 13ers to the east or to get up onto the high ridge of the Vazquez Peak Wilderness to the west.  This hike follows the CDT to the intersection with the Mount Nystrom Trail, just inside the wilderness boundary.  From there you can ridge walk your way south to Stanley Mountain or north to Twin Cones Peak and the Winter Park Ski Resort…but that goes way out of the scope of this hike report.

From the parking area cross Hwy 40…very carefully…and pick up the CDT as it weaves through sparse pine forest and starts gaining elevation.  At about the 1 mile point, you top out on a small knob with killer views in every direction. The views are amazing the entire time, but this is your first obvious spot to relax and take them in. Continuing on, the trail steadily climbs along a ridge leading up to a section of steep looking switchbacks carved into the mountain looming in front of you.  These switchbacks are not as steep as they look and lead to another obvious resting spot, again the views are nuts.  

The last leg of the hike up to the ridge hugs the southern face of a ridge, then tops out and follows the ridge up to the large flat ridge (lots of ridges…) and the end point of this hike.  This is an absolutely beautiful spot; views in every direction and a wide grassy alpine ridge that just begs you to continue hiking.  Don’t be stubborn, go ahead and continue hiking…unless you need to stop, in which case, turn around and enjoy the trail all over again.  

Berthoud Pass is a necessary transportation landmark, but it is also so much more. It’s a shortcut to the really good stuff; it makes hiking above treeline possible after the workday; it lets kids get a taste of tundra.  Don’t sleep on the CDT and Berthoud Pass!