Champion Pass - Thunderbolt Loop

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Features Views

This is a fun way to ride a great section of the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) as a loop. There are some nice views from the CDT, and the trail passes by the pretty Cottonwood Lake. About a third of this route is on gravel road, while the rest is on singletrack. The loop can be ridden in either direction. The way it is described here (counter clockwise) involves a long and steep initial climb, but then you are rewarded with some fun sections of descent down the CDT. Riding the loop in the opposite direction (Clockwise) would be physically easier due to having less steep climbs, but the descent down FS 65 is less interesting than on the CDT. The loop starts at Whitehouse Campground, but could alternatively be started from Champion Pass.

The easiest way to access Boulder River River Road is from I-15 on the Eastern side, where Whitehouse Campground is only 7 miles down. Alternatively Boulder River Road can also be accessed from the West via Deerlodge.

From Whitehouse Campground, cross Boulder River Rd and head north up the gravel road FS-1572 for almost 2 miles until the trailhead for FS 65. FS 65 will begin the non-motorized section of the ride and you'll climb 3.5 miles on a rocky and variable trail to Cottonwood Lake and the junction with the CDT Connector Trail. By this stage you would have done about half of the total climbing for this route, so this is a good place to have a break and take some photos.

The CDT Connector Trail is the steepest section on this route, and you'll climb about 900 ft in under 2 miles, where you join the CDT at the highest point of the route (8253 ft elevation). From here you take the CDT south and descend for almost 3 miles until the junction with the Leadville Cuttoff Trail. Keep right to stay on the CDT where you have the last major climb which lasts about 1.5 miles. After this climb you have 8 miles of CDT trail until arriving at Champion Pass, which can more or less be divided into three sections. The first section is a big fun descent through dense forest. The second is a slow and rocky up and down section where the trail traverses in and out of meadows where you'll get some of the best views of the route. The 3rd is a last big windy descent down to the Boulder River Road at Champon Pass. Be aware the trail crosses doubletrack many times during this last section and it is easy to go the wrong way if you are not paying attention to the signs.

From Champion Pass, you take Boulder River Road East and downhill for about 8 miles until you are back at Whitehouse Campground.