The Top 20 Mountain Passes in the Sawatch Range
Whether it be for the views, for the climbs or for the downhill descents, browse our list of the best mountain passes in the Sawatch Range and make your next adventure one to remember. Contributed by the community, for the community, each mountain pass Highlight is a personal recommendation you know you can trust, so simply find your favorite and go.
Last updated: October 7, 2025
Climbing Independence Pass eastwards from Aspen is a bucket-list journey to the Continental Divide, reaching an extreme altitude of 12,095ft, making it one of North America's highest paved passes. Prepare …
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Reaching an altitude of 12,600 feet, Hope Pass is nearly 1,000 feet above treeline and is a true Rocky Mountain Pass. The trails on both sides of the mountain have …
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Fancy Pass sits at an elevation of roughly 12,500 feet. After a strenuous climb, you take your time to enjoy the impressive panoramic view over the peaks of the Holy Cross Wilderness.
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Elkhead Pass serves as the highpoint on Missouri Gulch Trail and tops out at 13,220 feet. It is one of the highest mountain passes in the state and sits just …
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The Monarch Pass climb from the west, starting in Sargents is a classic and scenic road biking ascent on US Highway 50. Over approximately 10 to 11.5 miles, you'll climb …
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Monarch Pass from the east is a classic road biking ascent on US Highway 50, taking you high into the Sawatch Range towards the Continental Divide. Starting around 8,100 feet, …
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Cottonwood Pass is the high point along the road between Buena Vista and Taylor Park Reservoir. This point on the road is well above treeline and is along the Colorado …
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Hiking along the Continental Divide Trail, you can either shop in the small gift shop at Monarch Pass or hitch into the town of Salida that has to offer everything a hiker could ask for.
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Mount Huron is 14,012 feet tall and towers over the ghost town of Winfield below. Across Missouri Gulch to the east, you can see a number of other 14ers that …
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Poncha Pass stands at 9,010 feet and is a beautiful wide, open summit that marks the boundaries between Chaffee County and Saguache Counties, as well as the entrance to the …
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See even more epic mountain passes by checking out these guides in the Sawatch Range:
Front RangeWhite River National ForestPike And San Isabel National ForestsGrand Mesa, Uncompahgre And Gunnison National ForestsSummit CountySan Juan MountainsPark CountyChaffee CountySan Juan National ForestClear Creek CountyArapaho And Roosevelt National ForestsSan Juan CountyGunnison CountySaguache CountyRio Grande National ForestLake CountyHinsdale CountyPitkin CountyGrand CountyMineral CountyLarimer CountyLa Plata County
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