Jul 31, 2025 - Things to Do

Hike to Black Powder Pass in Summit County

Bob Gee

Three people walking through an alpine meadow above the treeline on the Black Powder Pass hike in Summit County, Colorado, with a view of the Tenmile Range. — See how many different kinds of wildflowers you can find on the Black Powder Pass trail. Photo: Bob Gee/Axios

Two hours from Denver, at the top of a bumpy dirt road that's only open during the summer and fall, a National Forest sign announces: "Continental Divide."

The big picture: Here at almost 11,500 feet, the Black Powder Pass trail begins among a cluster of restored log buildings once part of a railroad outpost that boasted the highest-elevation post office in the country.

State of hike: A gradual climb of about 1.5 miles, mostly above the treeline, takes you up a gorgeous alpine slope studded with wildflowers, ending at a saddle between two peaks. At this point, you're above 12,000 feet, so take it easy.

On the way back down, you're treated to views of Summit County's Tenmile Range.
It's a good hike for kids, as long as they're not bothered by high altitude.

How to get there: Take U.S. 285 southwest to Boreas Pass Road, once a single gauge railway line, near the community of Como. From there, it's 11 miles.

Pro tip: Make a weekend out of your day hike and keep driving on Boreas Pass Road to Breckenridge.

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Hike to Black Powder Pass in Summit County

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