I’m presenting this trail in two pieces: Part 1 covers the road from the trailhead to the Pennsylvania Mine and Part 2 picks up from the mine covers to the top of Argentine Pass.

Part 1 – To the Pennsylvania Mine

When you enter the trail, the road is gravel but in decent condition. It does have some deep potholes and 6”-12” embedded rocks earning the road it’s difficulty 2 rating.  You won’t need a 4WD to get to the Pennsylvania Mine, but you will want a vehicle with some clearance.  Follow the signs to the Pennsylvania Mine and check out the ruins. There is a shallow stream crossing to get to the mine but the day we did it, it was no deeper than 6”.

Part 2 – To Argentine Pass

The second leg of this journey is a bit more challenging. Leave the Pennsylvania Mine and turn right on Peru Creek Trail. You’ll come to a boundary gate that is closed much of the early 4WD season.  As soon as you clear the boundary gate you will notice a drastic change in road conditions. It quickly becomes a level 3 trail and as you proceed advances to level 4. While a 4WD is still not necessary, it’s a good idea if you plan to go all the way to the end of the trail. There are some very deep ruts, lots of loose rock and some terrain that makes 4WD a plus.  Regardless, a vehicle with good clearance will be important.

The day we drove it, we saw deer and big horn sheep. You are more likely to see wildlife if you drive the road later in the evening as you move towards dusk.

Unfortunately, my flip cam died on this trip (I have since replaced it) so I don’t have any video.   Here’s how to get there:

1)   Take exit 228 off I-70 into Georgetown. At the bottom of the exit ramp, turn into town (left if you’re on I-70 westbound; right if you’re eastbound).  Now you’re on 15^th street.

2)   Take a right at the first stop sign (15th and Argentine Road) and head into town.

3)  Follow the signs to Guanella Pass.

Colorado Trails assigns a difficulty rating of 4 to this trail. I have to disagree with the book on this one and bump that to a 5 or 6.  The road is strewn with large boulders the size of luggage; large embedded rocks and very deep ruts. They were certainly not conditions I felt comfortable with for my stock Jeep Wrangler.   Saxon Mountain Road felt more to me like Taylor Creek Pass (Level 6) over by Aspen then it did Deer Creek Road (Level 4) by Montezuma.

Unfortunately, my flip cam died on this trip (I have since replaced it) so I don’t have any video or our attempt.  Should you care to give Saxon Mountain Road a shot for yourself, don’t follow the directions in Colorado Trails. Things have changed in Georgetown since the book’s directions were written.  Here’s how to get there:

1)   Take exit 228 off I-70 into Georgetown. At the bottom of the exit ramp, turn into town (left if you’re on I-70 westbound; right if you’re eastbound).  Now you’re on 15^th street.

2)   Proceed straight to Main Street – all the way to a T intersection.

3)   Take a left on Main Street and proceed to Saxon Mountain Road. It is well marked. There are a couple Y intersections on Main Street as you go along; stay right. (If you use Google Maps and look up Georgetown CO, you’ll see a clear map to the trail.)

If you drive the trail, please post your comments here and let us know how it went.

Take Highway 6 east from Dillon/Silverthorne towards Keystone Resort. As you pass Keystone, take the Montezuma Road Exit. Follow Montezuma Road 5 miles to the town of Montezuma. Zero your trip meter at the first stop sign in Montezuma. Follow Montezuma road through town 1.2 miles; watch for the Webster Pass trailhead on your left. It is not marked coming from Montezuma. There is a blue “Trailhead Parking” sign on the right hand side of the road. The Webster Pass trailhead is right across from this sign.

Any passenger vehicle with good ground clearance easily navigates Webster pass trail. You don’t need 4WD. The road is rocky, reasonably level, and offers some minor challenges such as ruts and erosion.  The most significant challenge is crossing the Snake River. At the crossing point, you can expect the water to be around 18” deep.  It is this crossing that gives the trail its level 3 rating; apart from the crossing, Webster Pass would be a level 2.

The road is a favorite for sightseeing, ATV’s, etc., so on nice days and weekends you can expect some traffic. The trail takes you through some very beautiful evergreen forests and snakes along a gorgeous alpine valley. If there is no traffic, you can expect to see some wildlife.  If you’re lucky, you might see some mountain goats grazing at the top of the pass.  Please remember that alpine tundra is extremely fragile. Stay on the trail to avoid damaging the environment.

The trail takes approximately 45 minutes each way so allow a couple hours to make the roundtrip. When you get to the top of the pass, you’ll intersect with Red Cone and Handcart Gulch trails. These trails have difficulty ratings of 7 and 6, respectively. A very steep decline on Red Cone makes it one of the most dangerous trails in the state. Unless you have the proper vehicle and experience, you’ll want to turn around and take Webster Pass Trail back down the mountain.

For more details about the drive, see Colorado Trails – Central Region.

• Use your common sense. If you are an inexperienced off-road driver, now is not the time for bravado. Most 4WD accidents happen because drivers bite off more than they could chew. Don’t over estimate your ability or your vehicle’s readiness like this poor sap.  Even if no one gets hurt, vehicle extractions are very expensive and will certainly cut your Colorado vacation short.
• Vehicles traveling uphill have the right of way. Yield to uphill traffic.
• If you are traveling slower than the vehicle behind you, pull over and let them pass.
• Don’t block the trail. Park out of the way in a safe place. Be sure to use your emergency/parking brake. Vehicles with automatic transmission should be set to “Park”; engage your lowest gear for manual transmissions when parking.
• Be sure to get a map of the area and familiarized yourself with the features of the trail you intend to drive. (Maps are free and may be picked up at any area Ranger District station.)
• Protect the environment. Stay on the trail. Avoid running over small trees, grasses and shrubs. Don’t drive over alpine tundra. This is a very delicate environment and is easily damaged.
• Stay off soft, wet back roads. After a heavy rain or early in the season these roads are especially susceptible to vehicle damage.
• Obey gate closures or regulatory signs.
• Preserve America’s heritage by not disturbing old ghost towns, mines, historic sites, Native American rock art, etc. Leave it there for someone else to enjoy.
• Carry out all your trash. (Event the trash of others.)  Feel free to speak ill of those who leave their garbage behind.
• All Wilderness areas are prohibited to motorized travel. Stay out.
• Get permission to cross private land.

Start at the Breckenridge Visitors Center and take Boreas Pass Road. You’ll pass the Breckenridge Ice Rink and head up paved road for about 3 miles. Near the top, paved road gives way to dirt road and spectacular scenery. The road narrows at times and there are some steep drop-offs. Any well-maintained passenger vehicle is fine for this trip. Give yourself just over an hour to make the trip. Add more time if you stop at the summit to investigate the old railway ruins. (You’ll want to do that; there is some very interesting history up there!)

If you drive all the way over to Como there are a couple ways to get back to Breckenridge. 1) You can return across the pass or 2) take highway 285 to Fairplay, then take highway 9 over Hoosier Pass to Breckenridge. Give yourself and 1.5 hours to get back if you take highway 285.

For more details about the drive, see Colorado Trails – Central Region.

The following table is a summary of the trail rating system presented in Colorado Trails.

Weston Pass Trail - Difficulty Rating 2