Boreas Pass
Boreas Pass is a dirt road the crosses the Continental Divide to the southeast of Breckenridge. The mountain road (Forest Service Road 33) passes below the western side of Boreas Peak. Remnants of the Boreas ghost town can still be seen at the summit of the pass today, along with some of the old railroad station structures of the railroad that once existed here.
Seasonal Info
Closed to vehicles during the winter.
Boreas Pass Stats
- Max Road Elevation: 11,481'
- Surface: Dirt/Improved Road
- Mountain Range: Front Range
Alternate Routes – Hoosier Pass is located to the west. Georgia Pass is another dirt road over the Continental Divide, and this is located just to the east of Boreas Pass.
Boreas Pass is a popular drive during the autumn season, when the leaves on the aspen trees change color.
Recreation on Boreas Pass
Gravel Biking – This is a great road for gravel biking during the summer and fall seasons. Breckenridge to Como via Boreas Pass is just over 21 miles one-way. Mountain biking trails that can be found breaking off into the surrounding areas here include: the Blue River Trail and Baker’s Tank Loop.
Camping – There are 23 dispersed camping sites along the route. Camping is only allowed in designated areas. No camping is allowed at the trailheads.
Hiking – Trailheads on Boreas Pass include the Boreas Pass Loop Trailhead and the Black Powder Pass Trailhead near the summit of the pass.
Boreas Pass FAQ
The road from Como to Breckenridge is just over 21 miles.
Boreas Pass is located just to the south of Breckenridge, Colorado.
There are scenic overlooks on the way up, and plenty of space for parking at the summit of Boreas Pass. The summit area includes some old historical buildings from the railroad days, but there are no restrooms or facilities here.
This road is more dangerous than a regular road in Colorado, but less dangerous than Loveland Pass or Berthoud Pass.
No. Expect Boreas Pass to be closed during the winter season.
Boreas Pass History
Old railroad structures can be seen at the top of the pass in the photo below. This area is part of a 19 acre site that is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
The structures at the top of this pass have been largely rebuilt, including the roofs being replaced. The third structure which is now in the middle is new, having been completely rebuilt from scratch in the late 1900s. The photos below show the middle structure nearly destroyed in 1981, and being ready to be rebuilt in 1997.
Boreas Pass Railroad History
While a wagon road has existed here since sometime in the 1860s, the railroad was not built until the early 1880s. The original wagon road was named Breckenridge Pass. Boreas Station was the name of the railroad station at the top of the pass.
Who named Boreas Pass?
It was NOT named in 1881 by Sidney Dillon as the railroad was being built (as previously stated here and elsewhere). Dillon was the President of the Union Pacific Railroad, but the Boreas Station name was suggested by General Passenger Agent George Ady.1 The pass would start being referred to as Boreas Pass in the following years after that.
Boreas Peak had already been named by this point.2
When was the railroad over Boreas Pass built?
Caution… Many sources state that railroad construction began in 1882, but construction was well underway by then. A passage in the publication Silver World from July, 1881 reads: “The South Park line from Como to the summit of Breckenridge Pass is said to be almost literally covered with men and teams.”3 The railroad was expected to reach the summit of the pass before the end of October, and Breckenridge by Dec. 10th, 1881.4
As the sign in the photo from 1997 in this section says, the railroad tracks were torn up in 1938, and the route was turned into an auto road again.
Directions from Denver
How to get to Boreas Pass from Denver?
- I-70 Westbound
- Exit 203 for Frisco/Breckenridge
- Highway 9 South
- Left on Boreas Pass Rd.
Did You Know Old Boreas?
Why the name Boreas? People used to refer to “Old Boreas” when referring to bad winter weather. In the 1800s, you might have heard the phrase “Old Boreas hasn’t shown its ugly head since last April.” Boreas was the God of the North Wind.
1. The Great West, Volume II, Number 21, November 19, 1881, p. 6. Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection. Colorado State Library.
2. The Lake City Mining Register, Volume I, Number 23, October 22, 1880, p. 3. Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection. Colorado State Library.
Silver World, Volume 7, Number 1, July 9, 1881. Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection. Colorado State Library.
3. The Rocky Mountain News (Daily), Volume 22, October 18, 1881. Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection. Colorado State Library.
Images Credits: Jeffrey Beall | More info