French Pass Trail - North of Jefferson

I’m not sure why I love this hike. Maybe because the first time I did it, it was so foggy…plus the moose… beautiful. Maybe because we never see many other people. Hmmm. Anyways it is a bit of a drive for me, but totally worth it. A couple miles of the road to get to the trailhead are a bit rough…but any car should be able to make it…just drive slow.

Difficulty: Moderate - about 7.5 miles with 1600-1700 feet elevation gain. Starting elevation is 10,500 feet and max elevation will be above 12,000 feet.

We hike as a group and hike at an average moving pace of about 2.5mph (slower up…faster down). Everyone is expected to wait at all intersections, creek crossings, & periodically otherwise so that no one is left behind or hiking on their own for safety purposes. We will break at an appropriate spot & will stop as needed along the way for water, snacks, pictures, etc.

Hikes that are scheduled weeks in advance are always subject to date/time change or cancellation due to weather, trail conditions or closures, or other unforeseen circumstances.

HIKE DESCRIPTION: The French Pass Trail provides access to the Continental Divide between Bald Mountain and Mount Guyot. From the trailhead it leads up the French Creek drainage to reach the summit of French Pass. There is 6-7 miles of dirt road to get to the trailhead and a portion can be a bit rough, but most any regular 2WD car should be able to make it. See the following hike in Alltrails: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/french-pass-trail

DOGS: No dogs on this hike please.

ADDRESS/DIRECTIONS: We will meet at the French Pass trailhead. To get there, you can either click on the alltrails link above and click directions. Or if you use google maps, you can type in “French Pass Trailhead” for directions. If you use Apple Maps, type in “French Pass Trail” for directions.

We wait 5 minutes for late arrivals…but no longer as that is inconsiderate to those arriving timely. So please allow extra time to get to the trailhead.

IMPORTANT: This is a participate at your own risk event! Life is risky. I am not a professional guide and am simply hosting this event. By signing up for this hike you acknowledge that you are capable of performing this hike and that you are solely responsible for your own safety.

NO SHOWS: If you are a no-show to 2 hikes, you will be booted from this meetup group. So please change your RSVP to “not going” if you are unable to make it.

WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING: Water, snacks, layers of clothing, good hiking shoes/boots, sunscreen, bug repellant, sunglasses, hat, gloves, hiking poles (if you find them helpful), and anything else you deem essential.

WEATHER: Here is the NOAA forecast for the hike location. For hourly temps, wind, precipitation, etc., click “Hourly Weather Forecast” in the upper right. https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=39.43943000000007&lon=-105.95139999999998#.ZAlJkS9lBvI

REQUIRED WAIVER: If you have not already done so, you must sign the updated waiver with our new meetup name prior to this hike. I will have copies at the trailhead that you can sign or you may print, sign, and bring it with you from the following website: https://www.dropbox.com/s/p728z28jjuwdzws/Waiver%20Corona.pdf?dl=0
If you choose to sign at the trailhead, please arrive early so that we can depart for the hike timely.