- Boreas Pass
Infobox Mountain Pass
Name = Boreas Pass
Photo = Boreas Pass summer 2005.jpg
Caption = Boreas Pass in summer
Elevation = 3499 m./11,481 ft.
Location =Colorado , USA
Range =Rocky Mountains
Coordinates = coord|39|24.7|N|105|58.2|W|type:pass
Topographic
http://www.treknow.com/colorado/backroads/northcentral/boreas_pass.htm]
Traversed by = Unpaved roadBoreas Pass (el. 3499 m./11,481 ft.) is a high
mountain pass in theRocky Mountains of centralColorado in theUnited States . The pass is located on thecontinental divide , at the crest of theFront Range along the border between Park (south) and Summit counties. The correct pronunciation of the pass name is (Bore-ays).Description
The pass crosses the range where it divides the headwaters of the Blue River (a tributary of the Colorado River) to the north with South Park and the headwaters of the
South Platte River to the south. It is traversed by Forest Service Road 33, a gravel road that is closed in winter but passable by two-wheel drive automobiles in good weather. In winter, the road is used by cross-country skiers. The road over the pass goes north from the town of Como in the northern South Park northeast of Fairplay, crossing the path northward to Breckenridge. In good weather, it furnishes an alternative route to nearbyHoosier Pass , offering splendid views ofaspen trees and nearbyMount Silverheels and theTenmile Range .The pass was formerly known as Breckenridge Pass in the 1860s, when it served as an early route for thousands of prospectors during the
Colorado Gold Rush who crossed from South Park to look forgold in the valley of the Blue around Breckenridge. In 1866, it was widened to a wagon road that accommodatedstagecoach es. In 1882, under the direction ofSidney Dillon of theUnion Pacific Railroad , theDenver, South Park and Pacific Railroad (by then controlled by the Union Pacific) begun laying narrow gauge tracks up the pass, which Dillon renamed in honor ofBoreas , the Ancient Greek god of the North Wind. The line was a spur to Breckenridge (eventually extended to Leadville) off the company's main line from Denver through South Park. A roundhouse, still in existence, was constructed at Como at the junction of the lines. The rail line over the pass was a major engineering feat, primarily because of the winter snows at high altitude. When completed, it has dozens ofsnow shed s along its route, which approached a 4% grade in many places. A town of Boreas, now aghost town , was constructed at the summit, primarily to house workers to clear the line in winter. The line was abandoned in 1937, along with most of the company's right-of-way. AfterWorld War II , theArmy Corps of Engineers reconstructed the route for automobile traffic. On the north side of the pass, Forest Service Road 593 leads to the 1880s ghost town site of Dyersville, as well as many abandonedmining sites.External links
* [http://www.topozone.com/viewmaps.asp?method=place&placename=Boreas+Pass&statefips=8 USGS TopoZone listing]
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