Guides/Overland routes/Colorado
Overland route103 midifficulty: easy

Frontier Pathways Scenic and Historic Byway

RegionColoradoAgencyU.S. Forest Service, Colorado Department of TransportationLast verified—
Frontier Pathways Scenic and Historic Byway — overland route near Pueblo, Colorado, Colorado
Photo by Jeffrey Beall via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Trail vitals6 facts
Length
103mi
Technical difficulty
Easy
Direction
Loop
Vehicle
Any street-legal vehicle. Paved its full length.
Best months
Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
Cell coverage
Spotty in the Wet Mountains; service in towns and along Pueblo-area approaches.
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Frontier Pathways Scenic and Historic Byway is a 103-mile paved loop on Pike-San Isabel National Forest between Pueblo and the Wet Mountain Valley. The route runs west on CO-96 from Pueblo to Westcliffe, north on CO-69 to Texas Creek on US-50, and east back to Pueblo via the Arkansas River canyon. The byway crosses the Wet Mountains and skirts the eastern face of the Sangre de Cristo Range.

The road is paved its full length. Most drivers run the loop in three to four hours, longer with stops in Westcliffe or at the Lake Pueblo State Park overlooks. There are no technical obstacles. The interest is the contrast between the Front Range plains, the forested Wet Mountains, and the dramatic Sangre de Cristo wall.

Hazards

Read before you go

  • Wildlife. Pronghorn on the open valley; deer in the foothills.
  • Hardscrabble Pass. Holds snow and ice into spring.
  • Crosswinds. Strong wind on the Wet Mountain Valley stretches.
  • Limited services. Smaller communities along the corridor.
  • Bishop Castle stairs. Privately built; respect signage and watch for unmaintained sections.

Location

103 mi · Overland route

Approx. location 38.086, -104.966

Trail facts

4 fields
AgencyU.S. Forest Service, Colorado Department of Transportation
Nearest townPueblo, Colorado
Websitewww.fs.usda.gov/r02/psicc
Approx. location38.086, -104.966

Getting there

Directions

From Pueblo. From I-25 in Pueblo, take CO-96 west or US-50 west to begin the loop. Either direction works.

Photos

1 photo

Photos · 1

Field notes

Getting Oriented

The byway is a closed loop based out of Pueblo. The southern arm (CO-96) runs west through the Wet Mountains; the western arm (CO-69) runs north along the Wet Mountain Valley with the Sangre de Cristos to the west; the northern arm (US-50) returns east through the Arkansas River canyon. Pike-San Isabel National Forest's San Carlos Ranger District manages the FS lands along the corridor.

Trail Overview

One hundred three miles, loop, paved. The byway crosses Hardscrabble Pass at 8,956 feet on the Wet Mountains crossing, then runs through the high open Wet Mountain Valley below the Sangres before dropping to the Arkansas River canyon. There are no off-road sections.

Points of Interest

  • Westcliffe. Designated International Dark Sky Community in 2015. Bishop Castle is north of Westcliffe via CO-165.
  • Bishop Castle. Privately built castle on Pike NF land north of Westcliffe; one of the more eccentric Colorado landmarks.
  • Sangre de Cristo Range. Visible the length of the Wet Mountain Valley. Crestone Peak and Crestone Needle dominate the skyline.
  • Hardscrabble Pass (8,956 ft). Crossing of the Wet Mountains.
  • Lake Pueblo State Park. Eastern end near Pueblo with reservoir camping and water recreation.
  • Royal Gorge. Side trip via US-50 west of Pueblo to the Arkansas River bridge.

Where to Camp

Pike-San Isabel maintains several developed campgrounds in the Wet Mountains and Sangre foothills: Lake San Isabel, Davenport, Lake Isabel, and Ophir Creek. Lake Pueblo State Park has developed camping at the eastern end. Dispersed camping is allowed on FS land off side roads with the standard 16-day stay limit.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

  • Westcliffe is a Dark Sky Community. The night-sky viewing in the Wet Mountain Valley is among the best in Colorado.
  • Bishop Castle is free to visit and is a worthwhile detour. Watch for the donation collection at the entrance.
  • Top off in Pueblo, Westcliffe, or Cañon City. Smaller communities have limited services.
  • Combine with the Top of the Rockies or Collegiate Peaks Byway for a longer Sangre-and-Sawatch tour.
  • The Crestones from CO-69 are the byway's signature view. Time the drive to catch the western light on the peaks.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is Frontier Pathways Scenic and Historic Byway?
Frontier Pathways Scenic and Historic Byway is rated easy. The route runs 103 miles.
What kind of vehicle do you need for Frontier Pathways Scenic and Historic Byway?
Any street-legal vehicle. Paved its full length.
When is the best time to visit Frontier Pathways Scenic and Historic Byway?
The best months are Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov.
Is there cell service at Frontier Pathways Scenic and Historic Byway?
Spotty in the Wet Mountains; service in towns and along Pueblo-area approaches.