This route leaves the Taylor River Road at 10,065 feet and climbs steadily through Aspen groves. The road can be very rough at times. After following a stream for three miles, you will reach Taylor Lake. Taylor Pass lies a short distance above the lake at 11,928 feet.
Directions from Almont: Take Taylor River Road, Forest Road 742, east 36 miles to Taylor Pass Road, Forest Road 761.
Directions from Ashcroft: Take Express Creek Road west to Taylor Pass Road #761.
Current Conditions & Trip Reports
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Filed By: Jerry Dart
(Wichita, KS)
Number of People Encountered: 11-25 ppl Recommend to a Friend: Highly Report: We are camphosts in the Taylor Reservoir area and make the Taylor Pass trip several times each summer. Our groups usually consist of two to four couples on ATV's. It is about eight miles to the summit and of those eight miles you will have two or three total miles of quite rocky areas. For a couple of hundred yards the trail is in a stream bed. It never gets too deep because there are a couple of places where the water is diverted off of the trail if it gets too deep. At the upper end of the river where you climb out it is steep and four wheel drive ATV's do fine, however you cannot get a run a it because of the rocks and water.
When you get close to the summit you come to a large lake that you may go around in eiher direction. The easiest is to go up the east trail and down the west trail on the way back.
The hardness of this trail is on par with the other ones in the area like American Flag Mountain and Tellurium.
This is a four or five hour trail ride for most people because there is so much to see and do along the way. Take a lunch and enjoy it. Conditions: Dry in July. Plan on afternoon showers in August and early September. Not clear of snow in June.
Number of People Encountered: 0-10 ppl Recommend to a Friend: Highly Report: Recommended if you have the proper equipment. We didn't make it, needed a winch to get out of the creek. I will be back in a Jeep with a winch.
Number of People Encountered: 11-25 ppl Recommend to a Friend: Highly Report: Very rocky.I went on a dirt bike with the rest of my family including my 9 year old brother.It was not to hard on a dirt bike exept the creek crossing has a steep exit and may cause some trouble for a few people.It is very fun especially at the top towards Aspen.It has alot of fun little jumps and stuff.Overall I recommend it for people with reasonale skill level and at least an 80.
Number of People Encountered: 0-10 ppl Recommend to a Friend: Neutral Report: Rocky, rocky, rocky. We traveled it on dirt bikes and saw several stock SUVish vehicles picking their way along the rocks, not fun. Fairly easy on a bike for a desent rider.
Recreation Opportunities
Activity
Remarks
On Site
Four-Wheel Driving
Taylor Pass Road
Yes
Horseback Riding
Taylor Pass Road
Yes
Mountain Biking
Taylor Pass Road
Yes
ATV Riding
Taylor Pass Road
Yes
Motorcycle Riding
Taylor Pass Road
Yes
Backcountry Skiing
Taylor Pass Road
Yes
Snowmobiling
Taylor Pass Road
Yes
Related Activities
Taylor River Road - The Taylor River Road is a paved, narrow, winding road, that follows the Taylor River through Taylor Canyon. Traffic is usually very heavy in the summer months.
More Information
Visitor Information:
Gunnison National Forest, 216 North Colorado
, Gunnison, CO, 81230, Phone: 970-641-0471
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