KENOSHA WEST
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 1.13 mi
- Elevation gain
- 374 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Moderate
- Elevation loss
- 3 ft
- Max elevation
- 10,361 ft
- TrailRank
- 12
- Min elevation
- 9,991 ft
- Trail type
- One Way
- Time
- 30 minutes
- Coordinates
- 256
- Uploaded
- August 21, 2010
- Recorded
- July 2010
near Jefferson, Colorado (United States)
Viewed 1007 times, downloaded 1 times
Itinerary description
Start from the Kenosha Pass parking area on US 285 and pick up the well-signed Colorado Trail (on the west side of the road). The first six miles of the trail rumble along root-strewn singletrack up and down a pair of 300-foot climbs. Hit this trail in late September/early October as the aspens are peaking and you’ll find yourself bombing through tunnels of fire-yellow leaves and scoping postcard views of the golden groves across the South Park valley.
After a narrow log crossing of Jefferson Creek, the real-deal climbing begins. From here, the Colorado Trail gains 1,800 feet over 6 miles as it climbs to the Continental Divide (topping out at 11,878’). Numbers aside, the real challenge to this climb is its constant maze of roots and rocks. As the trail approaches treeline, the roots subside but the grade remains: it’s a steady grind up to the Divide, and the effort pays off with top-of-the-world views down to Summit County and Breckenridge. The descent? Grip it and rip it on the first two miles; the roots will keep you honest as the trail ducks back into the trees.
-Mapped by Mark Harrison and Kris Wagner
TO TRAILHEAD: From Denver, head west on I-70 and take exit 260 onto 470 east (towards Colorado Springs). Continue 5 miles and take the exit onto US 285 heading south toward Fairplay. Continue 46.9 miles to trailhead parking on either side of the road. Not whole trail.
After a narrow log crossing of Jefferson Creek, the real-deal climbing begins. From here, the Colorado Trail gains 1,800 feet over 6 miles as it climbs to the Continental Divide (topping out at 11,878’). Numbers aside, the real challenge to this climb is its constant maze of roots and rocks. As the trail approaches treeline, the roots subside but the grade remains: it’s a steady grind up to the Divide, and the effort pays off with top-of-the-world views down to Summit County and Breckenridge. The descent? Grip it and rip it on the first two miles; the roots will keep you honest as the trail ducks back into the trees.
-Mapped by Mark Harrison and Kris Wagner
TO TRAILHEAD: From Denver, head west on I-70 and take exit 260 onto 470 east (towards Colorado Springs). Continue 5 miles and take the exit onto US 285 heading south toward Fairplay. Continue 46.9 miles to trailhead parking on either side of the road. Not whole trail.
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