Loveland Pass

I don’t even know how to rate Loveland Pass. On one end, it was the most horrifying thing I have ever experienced on the road & on the other end, it’s a bucket list item I stumbled upon. There we were, first time in the area, headed to Keystone. GPS knows what’s best right? Heck to the NO! With twists and turns and no view around those turns (not to mentioned windy and snow), I thought I would go out of my mind. I literally thought I could burts from the fear of what I didn’t know then was a 12 000 ft drop. I just knew there was no guard rail as my lovely passengers kept reminding me… I was done when my cousin said «isn’t this the mountain that … truck flipped off» wtf… stick a fork in me! Omg. Omg. Omg.
We made it off this mountain! But not before seeing a BMW and a Audi race past us as if in one of those car commercials! Seriously!
I couldn’t get over the ride, so I looked up the pass when we made it to our condo. This is when I discovered we could have taken I-​70! Geesh! Maybe the adventure God’s wanted us to experience what we would not have on our own! Yeah, accidental bucket list item… done & done. Enjoy!

I ended up deciding to checkout the continental divide at Loveland Pass on the final day of my vacation in Colorado. Words and pictures can’t even describe how beautiful and majestic the mountains look, especially covered in snow!
I made a foolish decision by hiking to the summit from the sign along the highway and let me just say, it was one of the scariest things I’ve done because of the ridiculously fierce, icy winds at the top (pretty sure I would have lost my fingers to frostbite had I stayed up there longer than 5 minutes taking pictures)
However, I cannot stress enough how BEAUTIFUL the view was up there! It’s a definitely must see (probably during less crazy weather though)

Every time I had to send a driver towards Grand Junction, CO, the first thing they always asked was if their loads had hazmat. When I told them «yes», their faces always seemed to drop. «Looks like I am taking the pass, damn!» When they have to go in the winter time, and they ask the same question, and the answer is «yes», there is a good chance they will pass, and I will have to ask the next driver on the list. I thought they were wimpy.
Then one night, I decided to drive the pass in my car and see what the big deal was. That time, it was late March, where there was still plenty of snow, and ice on the road. I was kind of surprised that the pass was not closed. I started to creep up, and then the switchbacks started to come– in the complete dark. I looked over on one of the switchbacks, and realized how far up I was, with no ledge. I saw I-​70 waaay down low– with the cars and their lights. It was slightly nerve racking on my first time (especially in the night on icy roads in unfamiliar territory).
I then realized my drivers are taking at least a 53′ trailer with them in this. It all made sense now. Thankfully, I survived that night.
I then wanted to come back when there was daylight. So a few weeks later, I went back with my roommate. It was kind of last minute, as we were wearing flip flops and shorts. Doing the drive in the day time was pretty breathtaking. When I noticed we got to the top, there was a parking area, with a sign, showing 11 990 elevation, and being on the Continental Divide. There were trails around as well.
It was cold as hell, with still plenty of snow. We took our pictures at the sign (one of my profile pictures was taken up here), and realized how cold and windy it was up there, especially the way we were dressed. We then looked over and down, and then we saw a guy skiing with his husky. That was definitely a first for me, but hell, that was awesome! I am sure that dog loved every minute of it.
After that visit, I knew that wouldn’t be the last time I would be up there. It is just breathtaking up there. I even took one of my great friends out there as well to show the sites.
There are not any stations, bathrooms, or even trash receptacles at the parking area, so plan ahead before you reach the top– but I think that also helps keep the natural beauty of the pass summit.
Make sure you drive safely and the speed limit– this is one road you do not want to mess with!

Gorgeous pass with a mind-​blowing view.
I’ve been over this pass 100+ times over the years, and each time, still slow down and/​or stop at the summit.
So beautiful, so amazing, so pristine.
The weather can be iffy, and downright dangerous between October and even as late as May or June. Be careful.
But if I’m skiing Summit County, I prefer to take the pass rather than the tunnel.

My family and I hiked to picnic at what we thought was the top of the west side hike. We got up there, had our picnic but seeing the real peak, my 9 year old and I had to finish the hike and conquer the actual peak. it was a very rewarding hike with 360 views of 12 &13k peaks (although we still don’t know what mountain peak climbed). We climbed in August. It was windy… a perfect partially cloudy day. We were comfortable wearing Capri hiking pants and tank tops with jackets tied to our waist in case we were chilly at the top. We didn’t need the jackets though we saw several other hikers who choose to wear jackets. Don’t forget your sunscreen. Those in our party that didn’t wear it were sun burnt! If you yell at the top west side of the peak you can hear your echo. My husband and 7 year old enjoyed watching the Picas play while they waited on the false peak for us to return from the top. The whole hike (with our kids and a quick picnic stop) from the parking lot sign only took about 2.5 hrs. A nice moderate hike that pays off with exceptional views. If you are staying in the area, McCoullough Gorge near Breckenridge was our next favorite kid-​friendly moderate hike with all its lovely waterfalls-​beautiful!

Beautiful view!!! We parked right at the Loveland pass continental divide, then did a few short hikes. The view was absolutely gorgeous. It was windy and chilly right in the middle of July, so make sure to bring a sweater. Where else can you see snow right in the middle of winter?

This was a crazy, but also amazing hike! Make sure you bring a jacket or sweater because it is freezing up there. Also make sure you bring actual hiking shoes and maybe even hiking sticks because it is very steep with a lot of rocks (go figure). However, once you get to the top, the views are breathtaking.

If the weather is good, do the pass instead of the tunnel. The breathtaking views are worth your time even if you’re in a hurry!

I’m at the top of the world looking
Down on creation
And the only explanation
I can find
Is that I must be nuts because that was cold as heck!
Beautiful views but expect lots of shrinkage.

I stood on top of the world.
I also stood on a patch of melting snow. In July. SNOW IN JULY! YES.
OK, so maybe 12,000 feet isn’t exactly the top of the world, but it sure feels like it here at Loveland Pass! Not only can you stand next to a sign showing the elevation (this is a popular tourist stop), but you can continue to hike a trail higher up the mountains and explore/​wander on your own — which is what I did. My friend and I didn’t hike very far (I’m out of shape and wasn’t used to the thin air yet), but I did see some majestic views and snap photos that don’t do justice to what we really saw. I could have sat up there all day, marveling at everything. I had never been on a real mountain before, so this was an exciting experience for me!
The drive up the mountain is also an experience all on its own! Winding roads mere feet away from moutain edges caused my heart to beat a bit faster, but my friend assured me she wasn’t driving too fast. We obviously made it up and down safely, whew!
Oh, and I kept seeing one of the best signs ever:
«WARNING BACKCOUNTRY SKIERS — AVALANCHE BLASTING AT ANY TIME USING LONG RANGE WEAPONRY.»
OK, it’s actually a reminder of how dangerous it can be to do backcountry skiing and hiking, but it’s quite an amusing sign. And no, I didn’t see an avalanche blasting.
I look forward to coming back. I quite liked being on top of the world.

Obviously I’m a fan, take a look at my profile pic!
The views are breathtaking and there are hiking trails as well. Loveland Pass is one of the reasons I’m lucky I live in Colorado.
Be careful of novice backcountry skiers face-​planting into the road. Seriously it happened in front of us the day I took that picture.

Hawk a loogie on one side, it goes into the Atlantic. Hawk a loogie on the other, it goes into the Pacific. Life doesn’t get much better than that.

The road up here is pretty sweet. I have been multiple times. In the winter there is always back country snowboarders hitchhiking up and riding down. There are two trails to hike up at the top of the road. The parking lot is pretty small though and the road is always a mess because people have to blindly back into the road. With this said i hope they do not expand the parking lot because it will just ruin things.

Edgy, thrilling mountain views and drop offs. At the summit you can hike and it’s great picture taking. A must off the Eisenhower tunnels!

Loveland Pass is a great place to visit before you die. Awesome views and Colorado at its best.
Instead of just going to the Loveland Pass sign to take a picture and leave, there is a trail you can hike. I wouldn’t recommend it in the winter, but during the summer and fall, it is nice. Although the hike is pretty easy, it still provides great views into A-​Basin and other ski areas in the area.
After you get done, you can go to the BBQ at A-​Basin down the road or other areas.
Depending on weather, be careful driving!

11,990 ft view of the world is worth a 5 star rating– with a small snowy hike to even better view.
Taking your pic next to the sign is a must.
The sign that says «WARNING BACKCOUNTRY SKIERS– AVALANCHE BLASTING AT ANY TIME USING LONG RANGE WEAPONRY» is worth 6 stars.
Watching truck, car, bus loads of skiers & snowboarders getting dropped of & disappearing after checking their «HELP ME!» beacons– made me feel sane.
Cheesy & touristy @ its best because there are no gift shops on top of this pass.