Park County Adventure

Dogs Unknown

This one-way run takes you from Kenosha Pass, southeast along the CT - Segment 5: Long Gulch to Kenosha Pass and up and over a pass in the Kenosha Mountains and back down the Ben Tyler Trail #606 to Highway 285. This route requires a shuttle or hitch up to the start at Kenosha Pass.

There's a lot of variety in this route, from aspens, to wooded evergreen creek valleys, and scrubby alpine meadows.

This route has reliable waters access from the creeks at both ends of the Ben Tyler Trail.

Starting from Kenosha Pass, head southeast on a dirt road for a few hundred meters, to a right turn onto the Colorado Trail. Follow this trail for the first seven miles of the run with some great views to the south and generally smooth rolling terrain. Cross a dirt road/parking lot and continue on down the hill before cutting north. While the Colorado Trail heads off to the right (east), you'll continue along the creek and up the valley on the Ben Tyler Trail #606.

The five miles of ascent to the pass has a few distinct sections. The first two miles are gradually climbing and along the creek. Then the grade steepens and steepens again during the next two miles. The last mile begins to level out as you crest the pass above treeline. There are some great views on both sides of this ridgeline that tops out around 11,600 feet.

The descent is long and varied. Some sections let your cruise while others require careful footwork around rocks and roots. You'll drop through several montane zones on your way to Highway 285. In the Fall, the aspens through this descent are fantastic if you time it right.