Tenmile Range
        

Tenderfoot Lodge

Hiking Tips


  Tips for Tenderfeet

    Black Powder Pass

This trail begins at one pass on the Continental Divide and proceeds uphill to a second.  Boreas Pass is a well known crossing at 11,481ft, the former summit of the narrow gauge railway into Summit County, now a well travelled gravel road.  Obscure Black Powder Pass is around the shoulder of Boreas Mountain and 678ft higher.

 
 

The footpath skirts the highest remnants of treeline and affords spectacular views of the Tenmile Range and Quandary Peak, one of the Fourteeners. But the real objective for many hikers are the abundant wildflowers, even in dry summers.

The trail initially follows a prominent water diversion ditch on its upslope side. The immediate view is of the Tenmile Range and nearby Bald Mountain (Old Baldy to many locals). After reaching a large rockslide, the trail -- now more obscure -- follows a small stream through light timber before emerging onto an open meadow with scattered clumps of wildflowers. Quandary and the entire Tenmile Range provide the backdrop.

The trail ends at a rather steep dropoff at the top of Black Powder Pass. A view down French Creek stretches to South Park. French Pass is around the shoulder to the left.

 

Quandary Peak
 Quandary Peak  
  Black Powder Pass

Reach the trail by following the Boreas Pass Road (CR #10) from the south side of Breckenridge to the Section House restoration at the top of the pass. The trailhead is in front of the buildings.

 

 

Black Powder Pass
  
 
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