Waunita Pass  |
| Maps: |
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| USGS 7.5' Map: |
Whitepine, Pitkin |
| Statistics: |
| Difficulty: |
Number: |
Miles: |
Altitude: |
Obstacles: |
Time: |
| Easy - 1 |
FR 763 |
10.30 |
9,000 to 10,300 ft. |
NA |
1-2 hours |
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| County: |
Gunnison |
| Adopted by: |
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| Managed by: |
Grand Mesa/Uncompahgre/Gunnison National Forest
Gunnison Ranger District |
216 N. Colorado
Gunnison, CO 81230 |
970-641-0471 |
| Summary: |
Waunita Pass is an easy 4WD road that connects Pitkin with Wuanita Park. It has switchbacks on both the north and south side of the pass that climb through the forest.
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| Attractions: |
Scenery
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Seasonal
Closure: |
Natural - Waunita Pass is closed by snow
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| Best Time: |
June - Best, possible snow drifts
July - Best
August - Best
September - Best, fall colors
October - Best |
Trail Heads
Accessed: |
FT 640 and FT 644 are accessed from the pass
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| Camping: |
The higher elevations around the top of the pass offer some dispersed camping. The lower parts of the pass, both north and south sides have private property to be aware of.
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| Base Camp: |
This would be a good place to base camp to explore the roads around Wuanita Park.
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| Fall Colors: |
Average - The lower parts of the pass will offer some views. The top of the pass is all pine forest.
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| Navigation: |
From Gunnison, CO head east on US Hwy 50 for 18.5 miles. Turn left on to Cnty Road 887. Go 8.8 miles, passing Waunita Hot Springs Resort and turn left onto Cnty Road 763, Wuanita Pass Road.
From Pitkin, CO head southwest on Main Street toward 4th Street. Take the second left onto 3rd Street. Take the first right onto State Street, then the second left onto 1st Street. 1st Street turns right and becomes Cnty Road 763, Waunita Pass Road.
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| History: |
Waunita Pass was used as a shortened connection between the Pitkin and Tomichi mining districts. After the Denver and South Park railroad reached Pitkin in 1882 via the Alpine Tunnel the pass continued to haul freight and passengers to the Waunita Hot Springs and the mines around Tomichi. Gold was discovered below the pass in the late 1890's by J.C. Bowerman and the short lived town of Bowerman was established.
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| Description: |
Waunita Pass divides Quartz Creek to the northa and Hot Springs Creek to the south. Waunita Pass is a short pass between Pitkin and Waunita Park. It offers connections to other 4WD roads in the area. The lower sections of the pass cross private property.
From the south side, out of Waunita Park, the road runs up Lincoln Gulch following Hot Springs Creek. After two switchbacks you reach Wuanita Pass between Copper Mountain and Little Baldy. From the top the road continues down Wade Gulch doing two more switchbacks. It comes out southwest of Pitkin, Colorado after crossing over to Powerhouse Gulch. A short distance following Quartz Creek brings you into Pitkin.
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| Data
updated 10/27/11
4WD Road
driven 09/04/11
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