Tomichi Pass
Maps:
USGS 7.5' Map:	Whitepine, Garfield
Statistics:	Difficulty: Number: Miles: Altitude: Obstacles: Time: Easy - 4 FR888 3.50 10,270 - 12,020 ft. NA 1-2 hours
County:	Gunnison
Adopted by:
Managed by:	Grand Mesa/Uncompahgre/Gunnison National Forest Gunnison Ranger District	216 N. Colorado Gunnison, CO 81230	970-641-0471
Summary:	Tomichi Pass is a short, easy 4WD road the takes you from Brittle Silver Basin to the town of Tomichi and Whitepine (north to south crossing). You gain the pass quickly from the north side passing a few old mine remains crossing between Paywell Mountain and Central Mountain. The north side is a ledge road that requres your attention where as the south side following Tomichi Creek down a wide valley.
Attractions:	Mountain pass, Scenery, History
Seasonal Closure:	Natural - The Tomichi Pass 4WD road is closed by snow.
Best Time:	June - The upper section is usually still closed by snow July - Possible opening depending on snow level August - Best September - Best October - Early in the month
Trail Heads Accessed:	Canyon Creek Trail - FT481
Camping:	There are no dispersed campsites on the north side of Tomichi Pass. The south side in the lower part of the valley offers a few sites on public lands. Be aware of private property.
Base Camp:	This would be a good area to base camp with the large number of 4WD roads including Hancock Pass, Black Sage Pass, Old Monarch Pass, and Wuanita Pass.
Fall Colors:	Average - Views of distant aspen groves are possible from the pass. The lower creek area around Tomichi and Whitepine offer the best views.
Navigation:	From Pitkin, CO head northeast on Main Street for 0.4 miles. Turn left onto State Street and continue on Cnty Road 76 for 0.7 miles. Continue on Forest Service road 765 for 2.0 miles. Make a sharp right turn onto Forest Service road 839. Go 8.2 miles to a hairpin turn and continue straight onto FR888. Go 0.5 miles on FR888 to the head of Brittle Silver Basin. Continue on FS888 around a hairpin turn, this is the start of the Tomichi Pass 4WD road. From Sargents, CO head east on US Hwy 50 for 1.2 miles. Turn left onto Cnty Road 888 and go 11.9 miles passing through Whitepine. Continue on FS888 past Tomichi following Tomichi Creek.
History:	Tomichi is the Ute word for "hot water".
Description:
Tomichi Pass divides Middle Quartz Creek to the north from Tomichi Creek to the south. From Brittle Silver Basin the top of Tomichi Pass is reached quickly. The 4WD road comes out of Brittle Silver Basin near a mine and heads up a narrow ledge road toward Tomichi Pass betwen Paywell Mountain and Central Mountain. As you climb higher past timberline the road becomes a single lane. Be aware of oncoming traffic. The top of Tomichi Pass is short with very little room for vehicles. You will have a great view of the west side of Hancock Pass and Middle Quartz Creek. Continuing over the pass the road follows a valley down to timberline and ties in with the Tomichi Creek drainage. At the southern end of Tomichi Pass is the old Tomichi Cemetary and the townsite of Tomichi. Today there are newer homes going in along Tomichi Creek.
Data updated 10/21/11       4WD Road driven 09/04/11       Copyright 4X4Explore.com - 2000-2012