Boreas Pass

Gravel Ride over a historic pass in Breckenridge

Boreas Pass is a popular ride and it’s relatively easy and unquestionably beautiful. This historic road connects Breckenridge to the small community of Como. Beginning in Breck, the route traverses through White River national forest over the pass and into the grasslands of the South Park river valley. The pass bridges the gap between two communities that could not be more different. Breckenridge’s kitschy mountain-town vibes increasingly appeal to tourists. Como’s population, conversely, has been in a steady decline since the late 19th century. 

The gravel section of Boreas begins a couple miles in at the Baker’s tank trailhead. From here it’s a 33 mile ride over the pass to Como and back. The route begins at 10,500 ft. and tops out at 11,500 ft. You can expect about 3,000 feet of elevation gain in total. And because it is situated on the Continental Divide at high altitude, the ride is seasonably crossable and prone to rapid weather shifts (hence the name Boreas). This, in conjunction with the pass’s incredible popularity, begets a persuasive argument for an early morning start.