Berthoud Pass

Approach

The trailhead is at Berthoud Pass which is on mile marker 243 on Highway 40. Berthoud Pass can be reached from the north and Fraser and Winter Park or from the south and Empire. The Empire exit off I-70 is exit 233 for those driving from the south. Park at the now closed Berthoud Pass Ski Resort parking lot. The trailhead is across the highway. Highway 40 is open and plowed year round allowing easy year-round access to the trailhead.

Route Description

I did this route in late fall-early winter (November 15, 2003) and with a deep snowpack, so be aware that in summer, descriptions of the route may vary slightly.

From the trailhead, follow the blocked-off road up the slope to the west. In winter, you will find a well beaten path in the snow (made by snowboarders) that heads directly up the slope without the switchbacks. In summer, stay on the road to avoid erosion. Simply follow the road/ridge up the west up the moderate grade until the road ends at about 12,200 feet elevation. A foot trail continues west to point 12,391. There are spectacular views in all directions from the point.

There is a trail junction at this point,and the trail to the north (right) heads toward Twin Cones. The trail to Vasquez Peak heads left then follows the ridge southwest along a gentle grade. Though the ridge is gentle, it can be very windy at any time of year and is no place to be with thunder clouds gathering, so be aware of the weather conditions. The trail bypasses the gentle summits of points 12,424, 12,507, and Stanley Mountain (12,521), but peak-baggers will probably take the few extra minutes to ascend them.

Stanley Mountain is reached after 3.5 miles from Berthoud Pass and has spectacular views in all directions. There is a minor trail junction here, but it's more or less invisible in the winter season. There is a beaten path that heads over to Jones Pass, but don't take it. Instead, follow the very steep and hard to see path northwest down to Vasquez Pass. This section is the most strenuous part of the route, both descending and acending.

From Vasquez Pass, the route follows the path west and up the ridge along a moderatly steep grade to peak 12,707. Breath easy as the hardest part of the ascent is now over with. From peak 12,707, continue west along the ridge to peak 12,900. The summit of peak 12,900 can be skirted if you wish, and from there the trail heads north along some minor bumbs to the summt of Vasquez Peak.

Vasquez Peak is six miles from Berthoud Pass. The return route is easy except for the very steep climb from Vasquez Pass to Stanley Mountain!

Essential Gear

In summer, only a good pair of boots in needed in addition to the normal hiking gear.

In winter, snowshoes and ski poles are a definate help below the timberline, but once you reach timberline, most of the snow is blown and compacted by the wind. An ice axe is also recomended. Crampons are not required, but can be helpful if parts of the route is iced up. As long as you stay right on the ridge top, avalanche danger is usually very low throughout the winter. The slopes on the side of either side of the ridge are very avalanche prone, so stay on the ridgetop in the winter!

Images

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