Beckwith Pass #842

The Beckwith Pass Trail #842 connects the Three Lakes Trails #843 and the Cliff Creek Trail #840, offering a fairly easy day hike either to Beckwith Pass or down to Horse Ranch Park. It also offers access to the West Elk Wilderness, as an alternative to the steeper Cliff Creek Trail, averaging only a 2% slope. Scenic attractions include good views of East Beckwith and Ruby Range, as well as an abundance of wildflowers during mid-summer. Beckwith Pass Trail #842 is easily followed and receives heavy use from horses. Several stream crossings exist so dispersed camping is possible along the entire route. The trail descends and ascends through aspen stands; then climbs gradually along a hillside, meandering through open parks of wildflowers and scattered stand of aspen and spruce. The confluence with the Cliff Creek Trail is in a dense spruce stand at a creek crossing.

Geo-Ref Trail Map Geo-Reference Instructions

General Information

June

Open for hiking, horseback riding and mountain bikes.

Getting There

Elevation

10,200 ft

Directions

Beckwith Pass Trailhead:

From Paonia: Travel east on Hwy 133 for 15 miles to Gunnison County Road 12, Kebler Pass Road. Follow CR12 for approximately 14.5 miles to Forest Service Road #706, Lost Lake Road. The Beckwith Pass Trailhead is located just before the entrance to the Lost Lake Campground on the east side FSR #706.

From Gunnison: Travel north on Highway 135 to Crested Butte. Travel west on Gunnison County Road 12, Kebler Pass Road, for approximately 18 miles to Forest Service Road 706, Lost Lake Road. Turn south on FSR 706, the trailhead is on the west side of the road just before the Lost Lake Campground.

Cliff Creek Trailhead:

From Crested Butte: Travel west on Gunnison County 12, Kebler Pass Road, for approximately 12 miles to the Cliff Creek Trailhead on the south side of CR 12. Follow the Cliff Creek Trail #840 for approximately 1.5 miles to the intersection with the Beckwith Pass Trail.