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A well-maintained section of the CDT that rolls along the ridgeline near Jones Pass.


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Map Key

21.6

Miles

34.7

KM

83%

Runnable

13,200' 4,023 m

High

10,323' 3,147 m

Low

5,034' 1,534 m

Up

4,018' 1,225 m

Down

8%

Avg Grade (5°)

43%

Max Grade (23°)

Dogs Off-leash

Features Lake · Views · Wildflowers

Overview

A very well-maintained and surprisingly lonely section of the CDT that follows the ridgeline for several miles with views into numerous remote bowls. Besides the popular access at the Herman Gulch Trail #98 and near Berthoud Pass, there are few runners on this section when considering the proximity to Denver. The Gore Range, Indian Peaks, and the Front Range 14ers all make a majestic backdrop for this route. A point to point run requires a little bit of logistical work for two vehicles, but is well worth it.

Description

From the trailhead at the start of the Herman Gulch Trail #98, you climb for about 2.5 miles through pines and increasingly open alpine meadows. The short dogleg to Herman Lake adds less than a half mile to the route.

After this trail intersection, it is a short climb to the ridgeline. From here, you have several miles of well-maintained singletrack that mostly follows the ridge, occasionally hugging the side of some of the prominences. For 8 miles, you stay above 12,000 ft, and despite the remoteness, the trail has seen recent maintenance, which makes looking up at the views very tempting. The trail then passes Jones Pass, which gives an option to cut the route short, down the jeep road towards Berthoud Falls.

After the section on the ridgeline, the trail drops to the south of Vasquez Peak, losing elevation. There is another intersection, which gives access to parking at the Henderson Mine trailhead for Jones Pass. Stay high and you'll stay on the trail. At 16 miles, the trail starts climbing steeply up Stanley Mountain, and after gaining the ridge, there are a final 3 miles above 12,000 ft as you arrive at Berthoud Pass.

Contacts

Shared By:

Cory Linfield

Trail Ratings

  4.9 from 10 votes

#2

in Georgetown

#761

Overall
  4.9 from 10 votes
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Recommended Route Rankings

#2

in Georgetown

#161

in Colorado

#761

Overall
17 Views Last Month
7,841 Since Dec 12, 2015
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Photos

Descending to Berthoud Pass.
Dec 12, 2015 near Winter…, CO
Fall color and snow dusting over Herman Gulch.
May 12, 2016 near Georgetown, CO
Bard Peak towards Engelmann Peak.
Aug 7, 2023 near Georgetown, CO
CDT towards Pettingell Peak
Aug 7, 2023 near Georgetown, CO
Discrete Peak Series - Berthoud Pass
Jul 21, 2015 near Winter…, CO
Discrete Peak Series - Berthoud Pass
Jul 21, 2015 near Winter…, CO

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Check-Ins

Jun 16, 2021
Atsuko Ohtake
Aug 24, 2019
Mike Bell
Ran it from Berthoud Pass to Herman Gulch Trailhead without stopping at the lake. There was about 5k of climbing and 6k descent according to my wat… 20.2mi — 5h 30m
Aug 18, 2019
Private User
Jul 21, 2018
Matthew Mientka
Ran to Jones pass and back down forest service road 8.5mi
Sep 10, 2017
Benducharme DuCharme
Jul 4, 2017
Jeannie Clidence
Area between the rdigeline above Vasquez Lake to Stanley Peak passable (just patches of snow), full of wildflowers and gorgeous! 20mi — 5h 30m
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