COMMONLY FLOWN MOUNTAIN PASSES

Elevations given are generally for ground traffic, such as the highest point of a road through a pass. All pass elevations are given in height above Mean Sea Level (MSL). It is highly recommended that flights cross passes at least 2,000 feet above the terrain.

BERTHOUD

Route: Denver-Eagle. Highway elevation 11,315 feet. Weather reporting stations are at Denver an Eagle. This pass is not visible to either reporting station. RLG099033, or DVV253054, or FQF266055.

CAMERON

Route: Ft. Collins-Walden. Highway elevation is 10,285 feet. The only weather reporting station on this route is Ft. Collins, and the pass is not visible to weather reporters. RLG025040, or DVV292069.

COCHETOPA

Route: Pueblo-Gunnison. Highway elevation is 10,067 feet. Weather reporting stations are at Gunnison and Alamosa. Pass may not be visible from weather reporting stations under certain conditions. At times, this pass remains open when Monarch Pass is closed. HBU117027.

CORONA (Rollins)

Route: Denver-Eagle. Approximate elevation 11,671 feet. This pass is not visible to any weather reporting stations. Arapahoe Peak (13,506 feet) is to the north with numerous peaks to the south. Under strong westerly and northwesterly wind conditions, this pass has some of the worst turbulence and down drafts that occur in Colorado. DVV261048, of FQF275051.

CUCHARAS

Route: Trinidad-Ft. Garland-Alamosa. Highway elevation 9,941 feet. Weather reporting stations are at Trinidad and Alamosa. The pass is not visible to the weather reporters. This pass can be used to fly between the plains of southeastern Colorado and the San Luis Valley when the higher mountains are clear and the valley east of La Veta Pass is filled with fog. ALS081036.

CUMBRES

Route: Alamosa-Durango. Highway elevation 10,022 feet. Weather reporting stations are in Alamosa and Durango. The vicinity of this pass is visible to weather reporters. ALS224037.

HAGERMAN

Route: Leadville-Aspen. Trail elevation 11,960 feet. This pass is visible to the weather reporting station at Leadville. Elevation, terrain features, and weather often favor this pass over Independence pass. DBL107021.

INDEPENDENCE

Route: Leadville-Aspen. Highway elevation 12,094 feet. Weather reporting stations are at Leadville and Aspen. The pass is not visible to the Leadville weather reporters but the vicinity of the pass is visible to the Aspen weather reporters. This is one of the highest passes in Colorado and should be avoided by pilots of light aircraft. DBL131025, or HBU015045.

KENOSHA

Route: Denver-Salida. Approximate elevation 10,001 feet. Weather reporting stations are at Denver and Salida. Small portions of the pass are visible to weather reporters. DBL080053, or FQF242056, or DVV231060.

LA VETA

Route: Walsenburg-La Veta-Alamosa. Highway elevation 9,382 feet. Weather reporting station at Alamosa can see the west end of the pass. ALS049033.

LOVELAND

Route: Denver-Eagle. Highway elevation 11,992 feet. Weather reporting stations are at Denver, Eagle, and Leadville. the pass is not visible to weather reporters. Although this route follows I-70, the terrain is very rugged. Expect turbulence and down drafts with high winds aloft. FQF258059.

MARSHALL

Route: Salida-Gunnison. Railroad elevation 10,845 feet. Weather reporting stations at Salida and Gunnison can partially see the pass area. HBY081037.

MONARCH

Route: Salida-Gunnison. Highway elevation 11,312 feet. Weather reporting stations at Salida and Gunnison can partially see the pass area. The pass will, at times remain open when Cochetopa is closed by weather caused by southwest winds. HBU072034.

MOSCA

Route: Pueblo-Alamosa. Elevation 9,740 feet. Weather reporting station at Alamosa can see the west end of the pass. ALS024028.

PALMER LAKE DIVIDE

Route: Denver-Colorado Springs. Highway elevation 7,300 feet. Weather reporting stations at Denver and Colorado Springs can partially see the area. This is a narrow winding gap, and flights should exceed 9,000 feet. Ceilings below 2,100 feet at Denver or 1,100 feet at Colorado Springs will generally cause zero ceilings over Palmer Lake. It may be bypassed at times by flying eastward to lower terrain. COS305017 or FQF193044.

PARADOX

Route: Grand Junction-Dove Creek-Durango. There is no particular high point along this route, but rough terrain will force flights above 8,500 feet. Weather reporting stations at Grand junction and Durango can see about 20 miles of each end of the route. Over 100 miles of the route cannot be seen by any reporting station. JNC177042.

PONCHA

Route: Salida-Poncha Springs-Alamosa. Elevation 9,101 feet. Weather reporting stations are at Salida and Alamosa with pass partially visible.

RABBIT EARS

Route: Kremmling-Steamboat Springs-Craig. Highway elevation 9,572 feet. Weather reporting station is at Craig. Passes cannot be seen by the weather reporters. RLG324025.

RED MOUNTAIN

Route: Montrose-Durango. Highway elevation 11,120 feet. Weather reporting stations are at Montrose and Durango. Most of the route is not visible to the weather reporters. DRO348045, or HBU212046.

VAIL

Route: Denver-Eagle. Highway elevation 10,603 feet. Weather reporting station at eagle. the pass cannot be seen by the weather reporters. DBL067033, or FQF252075, or DVV243077.

WOLF CREEK

Route: Alamosa-Durango. Highway elevation 10,857 feet. Weather reporting stations are at Alamosa and Durango. A considerable amount of the route is not visible to the weather reporters. ALS267047.

Passes With Incomplete Information

Legend