Boreas Pass Road

Boreas Pass Road climbs from the edge of Breckenridge, in the high country of Summit County, toward the Continental Divide in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. It follows an old railroad grade, which makes for a steady, well-graded drive or ride with wide views over the Blue River valley and the surrounding peaks. The sights along it are easy to find, and the road makes a good half-day outing from town in the warmer months.

Boreas Pass follows the grade of a narrow-gauge railroad that once linked Breckenridge with the South Park country on the other side. The line was part of the Denver, South Park and Pacific and later the Colorado and Southern, and trains hauled ore, supplies and passengers over the 11,481-foot pass for decades. Today the road is a gravel route that reaches the summit in warm months and closes to cars in winter. Along it, a preserved steam locomotive, Engine No. 9, is displayed for self-guided viewing alongside a mining-themed playground, a pairing that works well for families. Entry is free, with a small donation suggested.

Hikers and walkers can explore routes that branch off from the railroad grade and the town's edge. The trails move through lodgepole pine, spruce and fir, with aspen groves that turn gold in September, and in places open into meadows where wildflowers bloom in July. Bald Mountain rises above town, a bare summit that gives a sense of the scale of the surrounding peaks. While the scenery is gentle, at this elevation the air is thin, so newcomers should move slowly and bring water. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, so an early start helps, and snow can linger on shaded slopes into early summer.

Visitors should note practical details. Parking is available near the ice rink at the north end of town, and the trailheads are easy to reach by car or on foot from the center of Breckenridge. In winter, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing replace hiking, and conditions vary a great deal with the snowpack.

The Breckenridge Ski Resort lies close by for those who want lifts and lessons in winter, and the Colorado Rockies stretch away in every direction. The area suits families, history fans, hikers and anyone who wants a quiet view of Breckenridge's mining and railroad past. It combines well with the Breckenridge Heritage Alliance sites and a stroll down Main Street.