Berthoud Pass Area Hiking

The Berthoud Pass area about 40 miles west of Denver, CO is home to some amazing and varied hikes in the Arapaho National Forest. The continental divide, along with the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, passes right across the summit of the pass where a large trailhead parking area is located at 11,330ft elevation. Many of the trails in this area enjoy easy year-round access due to the well-maintained US Hwy 40 passing through. From the pass itself one can follow the Continental Divide Trail east into the James Peak Wilderness or west into the Vasquez Peak Wilderness any beyond. Other hikes in this area, such as the Butler Gulch Trail and the Hassel Lake Trail can be accessed just south of the pass summit near the Henderson Molybdenum mine, where a large underground mine removes ore below Red Mountain (off limits to non-mine personnel). These are popular destinations due to the proximity to the Front Range and I-70 as well as the high-altitude trailheads.