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Cross the Continental Divide between Breckenridge and Como via French Gulch, Boreas Pass and the Gold Dust Trail.

D L

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Map Key

24.0

Miles

38.7

KM

65%

Singletrack

11,848' 3,611 m

High

9,683' 2,951 m

Low

2,902' 885 m

Up

2,762' 842 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (3°)

20%

Max Grade (11°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Overview

A phenomenal point to point or out and back ride between two iconic mountain towns. The trail description begins in Breckenridge then travels up French Gulch to Boreas Pass Road. After crossing Boreas Pass, descend wicked-fast singletrack and traverse a smooth, flowy flume trail before a final, technical push into Como.

Need to Know

This description requires a shuttle. Drive time from Breckenridge to Como is around an hour. The Como Depot is a great place to leave a vehicle. There is also a small pull off near the historic round house that can be used as shuttle vehicle parking.

This ride can test wayfinding skills as well as legs, so bring a good map. The ride also covers a lot of ground and crosses windswept Boreas Pass. Bring adequate clothing as weather can change rapidly and shuttle vehicles may be far away.

This ride is a challenging, but fun out and back. As with many area rides, multiple, alternate routes abound.

As of summer 2021 Indiana Gulch has been regraded for forest health activities and is in very rough condition. This route is not recommended to Boreas Pass Road.

Description

From Breckenridge there are numerous routes to be explored between Town and Boreas Pass. This description utilizes a route through the French Gulch trail network.

Begin on the Wellington Trail along Wellington Road east of Breckenridge. Pedal up to French Gulch Road to the B and B Trailhead. Ride B and B Trail to Turk's Trail to Sallie Barber Road. Climb Sallie Barber Road to the mine, then turn left uphill on Nightmare on Baldy. Climb to the midpoint of the trail to True Romance, turn right and south and ride to Baldy Road. Connect on Crossing Route (FR 528.1B) to Pinball Alley. Climb to Mountain Pride Trail and connect to Baker's Tank Trail. Ride Baker's to Boreas Pass Road.

Turn left at Boreas Pass Road and climb to the summit of the pass. This is a good place to regroup, refuel and check out the restored, historic Boreas Pass Section House.

Drop over Boreas Pass into Park County and look for a post marking the Gold Dust Trail (trail #698) 1/3 mile from the summit on the right at the first sweeping bend in the road. Turn right onto the trail and enjoy the ripping, 1.6 mile descent to N. Tarryall Creek Rd.

Cross the road and continue on singletrack, across a creek then onto a 2 mile section of flowy flume trail. The flume section ends in a short descent to Park County Road 50. Cross the road and continue on singletrack, through the wetlands and across several timber bridges.

About a half mile past the bridges, the trail forks with Trout Creek Trail #614 - go left at this fork. The trail climbs and descends technically for another 4 miles, saving its best section for last. Gold Dust Trail ends on the gravel Pine Street. Turn right and zip a mile down to Como, or turn around and start on the return leg of an epic out and back.

This ride is frequently combined with Boreas Pass Road from Como to create a loop back to Breckenridge rather than riding the Gold Dust Trail as an out and back. This adds mileage to the roundtrip. The climb up Boreas Pass from Como can be a bit arduous, and is no less tiresome and much less enjoyable than simply returning on Gold Dust Trail; in part due to vehicular traffic. This section of Boreas Pass does have numerous aspen groves and there are great views along the climb.

Contacts

Shared By:

D L with improvements by N G

Trail Ratings

  4.6 from 10 votes

#10

in Breckenridge

#1028

Overall
  4.6 from 10 votes
5 Star
60%
4 Star
40%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#10

in Breckenridge

#212

in Colorado

#1,028

Overall
16 Views Last Month
16,578 Since Jul 14, 2014
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

9%
9%
27%
18%
36%
0%

Photos

Gold Dust Trail
Aug 5, 2021 near Brecken…, CO
Crossing Tarryall Creek
Jun 30, 2016 near Fairplay, CO
Trail Perfection found on Turk's
Aug 20, 2018 near Brecken…, CO
Breck's Secret Shuttle Ride
Dec 22, 2020 near Jefferson, CO
Aspen!
Jun 30, 2016 near Fairplay, CO
Turk's Trail tallus
Sep 22, 2014 near Brecken…, CO
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

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