On the second day of fall 2026, Keith and I traded our hiking boots for a scenic drive. Of all the places that came to mind, Boreas Pass rose to the top. We had driven a section of it back in 2023, but then I didn’t have Onyx (that’s what I call my Jeep). Although Onyx had already tackled Big Bend Ranch State Park in February, this was its maiden voyage in Colorado. What a memorable baptism!
Boreas Pass crosses the Continental Divide at 11,482 feet (3,500 m), linking the small town of Como in South Park with Breckenridge in Summit County. The road follows the old bed of the Denver, South Park & Pacific narrow-gauge railroad, which began laying track over the pass in 1882 and ran until 1937. The railroad named the pass after Boreas, the Greek god of the north wind, a fitting name for a crossing where long snowsheds were once needed to keep the tracks open in winter. Thanks to the railroad’s gentle grade, today’s roughly 21-mile (34 km) gravel road is an easy drive in good weather.
We started from Como, heading toward Breckenridge. We saw a few cars here and there, but we hit only a couple of tight spots where we had to pull aside to let another vehicle pass. That left us plenty of time to enjoy the scenery, and little by little, the colors built around us.
Aspens are fascinating trees. A whole grove is often a single clone, with every trunk sprouting from the same underground root system. That is why one stand can blaze gold while its neighbor, a different clone, is still holding on to its summer green.
The road was wider than I expected, with several pull-outs along the way. Whenever we found one, we stopped and walked around to enjoy our surroundings. I don’t know any other way to describe the experience than pure magic. With the shimmering aspens and the swirl of gold, orange, and green, it sometimes felt as if we were entering a different dimension.
We loved being surrounded by glistening aspens, and we were grateful that Mother Nature was putting on such an amazing show. The foliage kept us in constant awe. This first stretch of the drive, about 11 miles (18 km) from Como to the summit, lies within the Pike National Forest. Past the summit, the road enters the White River National Forest and descends about 10 miles (16 km) into Breckenridge.
Boreas Pass was one of three passes we drove and hiked around during our stay in Colorado. The full drive took about three hours, including stops to soak in the fall foliage and scenery.
If you go: Boreas Pass Road (County Road 33 on the Como side, County Road 10 on the Breckenridge side) is typically open to vehicles from late spring through October and closed to motorized traffic in winter, when it becomes a cross-country ski and snowshoe route. A high-clearance vehicle isn’t required in dry conditions, but check current road conditions with the Pike or White River National Forest before heading out. Peak aspen color usually arrives in mid- to late September.
That is the story behind the shots. For more like this, enjoy these related stories: Boreas Pass, Colorado, Fall Foliage, Festival of Leaves, Landscapes, and Pike National Forest. Until the next shoot, keep chasing the light and the wonders it reveals.
- Posted for Dawn’s Festival of Leaves.
- Boreas Pass – Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boreas_Pass
- Boreas Pass Road TH #10 – White River National Forest, USDA Forest Service: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver/recreation/boreas-pass-road-th-10
- Boreas Pass – 4x4Explore.com: https://4x4explore.com/rds/b_rds/boreas_ps.html
- Boreas Pass, Colorado – Colorado United: https://www.coloradounited.com/blog/boreas-pass-colorado
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pamperrault21
Perfect!
Egidio Leitao
You’re always so kind. Thank you.