Hancock Pass

Total Miles
16.8

Technical Rating

5

Difficult

Best Time

Summer, Fall

Trail Type

Full-Width Road

Accessible By

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Hancock Pass
5

Trail Overview

This trail connects St. Elmo to Pitkin via the 12,140-foot Hancock Pass. After taking in the views, descend to Brittle Silver Basin, on through to Pitkin, and the

Photos of Hancock Pass

Hancock Pass
Hancock Pass

Difficulty

Difficult. Most of the trail is easy wide road. At the pass, very rocky and slow-going, but okay for aggressive stock SUVs with low range and skid plates. Do not attempt if snow is present.

History

Hancock Road and the Alpine Tunnel Road were built along the original railroad grade that passed through the Alpine Tunnel in the 1880s. Several railroad structures still remain. Forest Road 839 was damaged at the Palisades by an avalanche in February 2016, and the road remains closed. It was hoped that Williams Pass Road would open as a way to reach tunnel, but so far, it's not.

Technical Rating

5

Status Reports

Kristian Brown
Sep 04, 2024
2023 Ford Bronco
Open
Normal
Open from the east end to Tomichi Pass
Toney Sanders
Sep 01, 2024
4x4
Open
Normal
Trail is open, alpine tunnel road is closed due to construction. The bypass to get to Pitkin would be over Tomichi pass until the forest service opens the Alpine Tunnel road
John Grissett
Aug 28, 2024
2019 Jeep Wrangler
Temporarily Closed
Trail Restoration
Alpine tunnel rd and lower half of Hancock pass is closed until end of season due to risk of rock slides caused by road repairs
Christine Hammack
Aug 26, 2024
2001 Isuzu VehiCROSS
Open

Access Description

From Johnson Village, head south on Highway 285 about 6 miles. Just past Nathrop, turn right on County Road 162. Go west 15.4 miles to parking/staging area (with toilet) on left. Immediately after parking area, bear left on County Road 295.

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