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 Mosquito Pass

 
Length: Approx. 6.6 miles roundtrip
Highlights: Mining Ruins, Spectacular views of Mosquito Gulch, the thrill of walking in the footsteps of "Father" Dyer
Difficulty Rating: Intermediate
Elevation Gain: Approx. 1,500 ft.
Directions:
Drive 16.3 miles south on Colorado 9 from the stop light at Main Station Mall in Breckenridge. Turn right onto Mosquito Gulch Rd. (dirt) and drive 4.4 miles where you bear right at the fork that says "4WD Only" (It is now 5 and a half miles to the pass). In spite of the warning sign, we have been able to proceed in a standard 2WD vehicle for another couple miles until you see a sign on the right (historical marker) that notes that this is the stage and toll road that was the route from Denver to Leadville until 1881. You can park here (a small tarn is close by on your right)      Cont.'d below:

Above: Mining Ruins dot the Landscape in Mosquito Gulch

 

 

 Below: Driving Back Mosquito Gulch.


 

  
 
Elevation here is about 11,540' and you can walk the 4WD road for about 3.3 miles to the pass at slightly over 13,000'.

Description:
O.K. - this is not a Summit Co. hike. It is in Park County. Maybe we should call this a "daytrip" but the beauty of this area is unsurpassed. As you hike to the pass consider that you are walking in the footsteps of Father John Dyer - 19th century Methodist minister and mail carrier who

 

  
weekly made this trek, often in snowshoes, from Alma to Leadville.

You can visit the Methodist church that he founded in the late 19th century in Breckenridge (located a couple blocks off Main St.)

The mining ruins, views of Leadville and Mosquito Gulch are spectacular.

Yes, you can drive to the pass in 4WD but why would you want to ruin an invigorating hike??

 

 

 



"I LIKE TO BE ON TOP"
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Above: Park here close to the sign noting the Denver- Leadville toll road.

Above: Great views of Mosquito Gulch.

Above: The tarn in the background is about at the starting point for this hike.

Above: more mining ruins dotting the landscape
Above: Follow the 4WD drive road to the pass - listen for the ghost of Father Dyer

Above: As you approach the pass, expect to find snow - even late in the season.
     

 

    

 

  
  beginner intermediate advanced
    Black Powder Pass   Mohawk Lake   Quandary Peak  14,265'
    Lily Pad   Chihuahua Gulch   Lincoln & Bross 14,291' / 14,177'
    St. John's   Mt. Royal   Bierstadt Peak 14,060'
    Mayflower Gulch   Wheeler Lakes   Willow & Salmon Lakes
    Loveland Pass   Radical Hill Trail   Upper Crystal Lake
    Salt Lick Trail   McCullough Gulch   Gray's & Torrey's 14,278' / 14,267'
    Mesa Cortina Trail   Mt. Sniktau   Mt. Democrat 14,152'
    St. Mary's Glacier   North Ten Mile Trail   Mt. Victoria
    Sally Barber Mine   Willow Falls  

Mt. Elbert  14,433'
    Oro Grande Trail   Eaglesmere Lakes   Buffalo Mountain  12,777'
    Meadow Creek-Salt Lick   Mosquito Pass   Eccles Pass
    Shrine Mountain Trail   Webster Pass   NEW! - Mt. Huron  14,003'
    Ptarmigan Trail        
    Peaks Tr. Barton Gulch        
    NEW! - Hoosier Pass Loop        

 

    

 

  
 

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Note: The Summit County Explorer website is for entertainment purposes only. SCE will not be held liable for the any accidents or injuries resulting from the activities listed on this site. Trail conditions change daily and we assume no responsibility for the safety of any individual during any of these activities. Please consult actual trail guides and maps before attempting any of the activities mentioned here.