The most popular section of Kenosha Pass
This is a wonderful hike for the scenery, and is a must visit if you haven’t been there already. Actually, it is still a must-visit even if you have. Some things never get old. This is the Kenosha Pass portion (4 miles) of the Colorado Trail Segment 6.
If you have ever hiked any section of the Colorado trail you will know that it is a fun experience to be on a trail that winds 468 miles through the beautiful mountains of Colorado with many other hikers.
This section of the Colorado Trail, Kenosha Pass toward Goldhill, is absolutely beautiful with Rocky Mountain views and views of South Park valley area. If you have ever hiked any section of the Colorado Trail, you know that it’s a fun experience to be on a trail that winds 468 miles through beautiful Colorado.
This trailhead is easily accessible by car with parking along the west side of Hwy 285.
The trail begins just off of Hwy 285 at Kenosha Pass campground. From there, the trail leads through pine and aspen forest for about 2 miles until it emerges at the edge of an enormous valley overlooking South Park and Fairplay. The surrounding peaks to the south and west are part of the Mosquito Range.
This is a fantastic section of trail. There are many wildflowers and butterflies in the area and the open trail along the side of the hill allows you to see views overlooking the massive plains and valley below.
We usually hike down the side of this south-facing hill and into the woods until we come to a large clearing on the right side of the trail (it looks like a good place to camp and could have been a lake at one time; now all dried up). It’s a good area to rest, take-in the scenery, have a bite to eat and then head back for the parking lot.
Note: No Restrooms available at parking lot.
Other trails in this area you may enjoy: Colorado Trail Kenosha Pass to Long Gulch segment
Picnic recommendation:
Once you come over the hill and see the valley and the Rockies in the distance, use the wooden bench or continue on the trail to the field pictured above (this is our favorite place to stop and then head back to the car; making it a 4-mile round trip hike. The entire segment ending at Goldhill is 32 miles)!
Directions
Attractions
Bailey (along US 285) offers several restaurants and cafes. There is a coffee shop (you will recognize it by the huge coffee cup on the side of the building) that offers Espresso and ice cream.
My pedometer led me to believe that it was two miles from the car park to the bench at the scenic overlook. It is a wonderful hike in part because it is shaded until it suddenly opens up at the bench overlook.
Great! Thanks for the sharing the exact mileage. That’s always helpful.
How I miss Colorado, I’ve been on Kenosha pass MANY times!! I remember getting up at 2:00 AM to watch a meteor shower up there!! WOW!!!!! We “Camped” in a Subaru Station Wagon!! It was a good thing we liked each other!! She loved it and so did I!
Hi Mary! I will be hiking segment 6 Kenosha Pass to Goldhill Trail in a few weeks. I’m coming from Chicago. My plan was to go from the airport to Brekenridge to hand out there for the day and rent some mountain bikes. Then the next morning I am going to catch a ride to Kenosha Pass trailhead to start my hike. My questions are 1) How far of a drive is it from Brekkenride to Kenosha Pass trailhead? 2) Segment 6 shows as 32.9 miles. Is this best split into 2 days? 3) What town/city is Goldhill Trail closest to and how close is it to the town? Trying to figure out if we will need a ride back to the nearest town. Thanks!!!!
Hi.Sounds like a great vacation.
Sorry, unfortunately we have not hiked the whole segment so I don’t know the details of how many days or where Gold Hill lands you.
Try this website http://www.coloradotrail.org/index.html for more info or fourteeners.com You may be able to get better answers from people on those sites.
Good luck and have a great trip!
Mary funcoloradohikes.com