La Salle Pass
Maps:
USGS 7.5' Map:	Terryall
Statistics:	Difficulty: Number: Miles: Altitude: Obstacles: Time: Easy - Graded FR 44 5.0 9,733 ft. NA 1-2 hours
County:	Park
Adopted by:
Managed by:	Pike and San Isabel National Forest, South Park Ranger District	P.O. Box 219, 320 Hwy 285 Fairplay, CO 80440	719-836-2031
Summary:	La Salle Pass road is an easy 4WD road that crosses the Puma Hills between Terryall and Spinney Mountain Reservoir.
Attractions:	Forest access into the Puma Hills.
Seasonal Closure:
Best Time:	June - Possible late snow July - Best August - Best September - Best October - Possible closure due to snow
Trail Heads Accessed:
Camping:	There are dispersed sites on the east and west side of La Salle Pass. Be aware there is private property on both sides of La Salle Pass before entering San Isabel National Forest.
Base Camp:	La Salle Pass would be a good area to base camp. There are a lot of Forest Service Roads in the area that run through the Puma Hills.
Fall Colors:	Average. There are some aspens in the area. The west side of La Salle Pass offers distance views of the San Isabel National Forest across the Southpark Valley.
Navigation:	From the north, at Jefferson on Hwy 285 take Cnty Rd 77, Terryall Road, southeast for 29 miles to the town of Terryall. Go through Terryall and about 0.5 miles south of town turn on Cnty Rd 31. Follow Cnty Rd 31 for 2.3 miles to Forest Road 44, La Salle Pass Road. Turn west on Forest Road 44. From the south, at Florissant head west on Hwy 24 for 11 miles to Cnty Rd 31. Turn right and head north on Cnty Rd 31 for 5 miles to Forest Road 44, La Salle Pass Road. Turn west on Forest Road 44.
History:	La Salle Pass is named for Samuel La Salle, an early miner with a claim by the same name who lived near Tarryall Creek. Samuel and other miners of the area built the wagon road over this crossing of the Puma Hills. In its day it was a heavily used crossing to get from the mines in the Puma Hills into South Park.
Description:
La Salle Pass divides the waters of the South Platte River to the west and Marksbury Gulch to the east. From the east side of La Salle Pass FR 44 leaves Cnty Rd 31 and heads west past private property to an intersection with FR 227 after about 1 mile. Stay with FR 44 which runs the southern edge of a small valley crossing more private property for another 1.5 miles before entering the San Isabel National Forest. La Salle Pass, FR 44, will climb for just under a mile through a gradual switchback before coming to the top of the pass. It is fairly non descript with the main feature being the left turn onto FR 228, the Badger Mountain Road. The pass is on a saddle between Badger Mountain and Martland Peak. Continue over the pass past the left intersectin with Gilley, FR 226, and the right intersection with Martland, FR 229, for about 1 mile to the insection with 44.2A. At this intersection you will have a view of South Park and Spinney Mountain. Forest Road 44.2A to the north ties back into FR 229 while FR 44 to the west and FR 44.2A to the south cross an open meadow and after a mile come back together before leaving public lands. At the intersection with Clear Creek Road head west to Turner Gulch Road, Cnty Rd 23-A. Turn left onto Turner Gulch Road heading south and go 2 miles to Hwy 24.
Data updated 10/10/11       4WD Road driven 09/03/11       Copyright 4X4Explore.com - 2000-2012