
Mosquito Pass (13,185′), Mosquito Range
Mosquito Pass (13,185′), Mosquito Range
Mosquito Pass was built to connect the towns of Alma to the east, with Leadville to the west. It is the highest crossable vehicle mountain pass in the U.S. outside of Alaska. While there are higher vehicle passes, they are all out and back. The trail crossesย the Continental Divide,ย between the Arkansas and South Platte Rivers.
The Mosquito Range is also home to five 14,000′ peaks;ย ย Mt Sherman,ย ย Mt Democrat, Mt Cameron, Mt Lincoln, and Mt Bross.
Trail Stats
- Trailhead: Alma or Leadville
- Round trip: 17 miles / 27.4 km
- Elevation: 10,361ย – 13,185′ / 3,158m – 4,019 m
- County: Park
- Agency:ย U.S. Forest Serviceย
- Natโl Forest:ย San Isabel
The top of the pass is the turnaround point for the 21-mile course of the Western Pack Burro Ass-ociationโs burro races, held the first weekend of August each year and part of theย Leadville Boom Daysย heritage festival.
Each June, hundreds of people run to the top of the pass in the Leadville Trail Marathon and Heavy Half Marathon, part of theย CenturyLink Leadville Race Series.
Weather
GPS Route with Elevation
Trail Pictures
West side of the pass road is covered in dangerous snow drifts
West side of the pass road is covered in dangerous snow drifts
Impossible to get to Leadville (middle right) from the pass
Impossible to get to Leadville (middle right) from the pass
First snow of the season made the west side of the pass to dangerous for vehicles
First snow of the season made the west side of the pass to dangerous for vehicles
This is not what you want on Mosquito Pass – treacherous road conditions
This is not what you want on Mosquito Pass – treacherous road conditions
Road becomes very rocky and narrow as you near the pass
Road becomes very rocky and narrow as you near the pass
Video Tour
Route Directions
From Fairplay, follow Colorado Highway 9 north for 4 1/5 miles to County Road 12 (Mosquito Pass Road) and turn left.ย The tour begins quickly after turning off Highway 9.
Trailhead Directions