Guides/Off-road trails/Colorado
Off-road trail12 midifficulty: moderate

Hancock Pass

RegionColoradoAgencyU.S. Forest ServiceLast verified—
Hancock Pass — off-road trail near St. Elmo, Colorado, Colorado
Photo by Jeffrey Beall via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Trail vitals6 facts
Length
12mi
Technical difficulty
Moderate
Direction
Point to point
Vehicle
Stock 4WD with high clearance and low range. Aggressive tires recommended. Rough rocky stretches near the pass; the route is one of the easier Sawatch passes for first-time visitors.
Best months
Jul, Aug, Sep
Cell coverage
None on the route; service in Buena Vista and Pitkin.
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Hancock Pass crosses the Continental Divide at 12,140 feet between the St. Elmo / Chalk Creek drainage on the east and the Quartz Creek / Alpine Tunnel area on the west. The route is on Pike-San Isabel and Grand Mesa Uncompahgre Gunnison National Forests. Hancock townsite, an 1880s mining camp at over 11,000 feet, sits on the eastern climb; the historic Alpine Tunnel railroad portal sits on the west.

The route opens with snowmelt in mid-July and closes by mid-October. Stock high-clearance 4WD with low range handles it; the surface is rocky but not severely technical, making Hancock one of the more approachable Sawatch passes for first-time visitors.

Hazards

Read before you go

  • High elevation. The pass tops 12,140 feet. Watch for altitude effects.
  • Afternoon thunderstorms. Plan to be off the high traverse by early afternoon.
  • Rocky descent. The east-side descent below the pass has a rocky stretch; pick lines carefully.
  • Limited services. No fuel between Nathrop and Pitkin.
  • Stream crossings. Several small crossings on the Chalk Creek approach.

Location

12 mi · Off-road trail

Approx. location 38.671, -106.361

Trail facts

5 fields
AgencyU.S. Forest Service
Nearest townSt. Elmo, Colorado
Websitewww.fs.usda.gov/r02/psicc
ClosedOct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun
Approx. location38.671, -106.361

Getting there

Directions

From Buena Vista (east side). Take US-285 south to Nathrop, then CR-162 west to St. Elmo. Continue past St. Elmo on the Hancock Pass road through the Hancock townsite and over the pass.

From Pitkin (west side). From Pitkin, take FR-839 / Quartz Creek Road north to the Alpine Tunnel area, then climb east to the pass.

Photos

1 photo

Photos · 1

Field notes

Getting Oriented

Hancock Pass connects the Chalk Creek drainage above St. Elmo with the Quartz Creek drainage and the Alpine Tunnel area on the Gunnison National Forest side. St. Elmo is one of Colorado's most-visited ghost towns, accessed by paved/gravel road from US-285 at Nathrop. The west side connects to Pitkin via the Cumberland Pass road (a separate route) and Tomichi Pass.

Trail Overview

Approximately 12 miles, point-to-point, between Hancock townsite and the Alpine Tunnel parking area. The eastern climb out of St. Elmo gains roughly 2,200 feet to the pass; the western descent drops to the railroad-grade road that connects to the Alpine Tunnel. The surface is rocky 4WD road with one or two short technical sections below the pass on the east side. There are no severely difficult obstacles.

Points of Interest

  • Hancock Pass summit (12,140 ft). Sign and small parking area at the Continental Divide.
  • St. Elmo ghost town. Privately owned but publicly walkable; the most photographed Colorado ghost town. Several preserved buildings.
  • Hancock townsite. Roadside ghost-town site at over 11,000 feet on the eastern climb. Foundations only.
  • Alpine Tunnel. Historic Denver, South Park & Pacific railroad tunnel portal on the west side. The eastern portal is collapsed but accessible by foot from the Hancock Pass approach.
  • Mount Princeton Hot Springs. On the lower Chalk Creek approach east of St. Elmo.

Where to Camp

Dispersed camping is allowed on FS land along Chalk Creek and Quartz Creek with the standard 16-day stay limit. Cascade Campground on Chalk Creek is a developed FS option. Pitkin Campground on the west side has additional sites. St. Elmo has private lodging and a general store.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

  • Hancock is one of the more accessible Sawatch passes; pair it with Tincup or Cumberland for a longer Taylor Park / Sawatch tour.
  • The route opens with snowmelt in mid-July most years. Confirm with the Salida Ranger District (719-539-3591) or GMUG Gunnison (970-641-0471).
  • St. Elmo has a small store and is a worthwhile stop on the eastern approach.
  • Watch for weekend crowds at the St. Elmo gateway; arrive early.
  • Carry full recovery gear and a spare tire. Cell service is none above St. Elmo.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is Hancock Pass?
Hancock Pass is rated moderate. The route runs 12 miles.
What kind of vehicle do you need for Hancock Pass?
Stock 4WD with high clearance and low range. Aggressive tires recommended. Rough rocky stretches near the pass; the route is one of the easier Sawatch passes for first-time visitors.
When is the best time to visit Hancock Pass?
The best months are Jul, Aug, Sep. Avoid Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun.
Is there cell service at Hancock Pass?
None on the route; service in Buena Vista and Pitkin.