Home : Where to Go : Stay the Trail OHV Trail Guide : View Trail System • East Rollins Pass
East Rollins Pass
Gilpin County, Colorado
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This historic road over the Continental Divide was the original Hill Route of the Denver, Northwestern, and Pacific Railway built by David H. Moffat in 1903. The road starts a few miles outside the town of Rollinsville and reaches an elevation of 11,660 feet before coming to a dead end on the east side of Rollins Pass at the closed Needle Eye Tunnel.
Popular Trails in This Area
East Rollins Pass (aka Moffat Road) (FDR 149)
Jenny Creek (FS 502 / FS 808)**
Jenny Lake Spur (FS 148)
Detailed Description
East Rollins Pass
The East Rollins Pass road is an easier, (2 out of 10) maintained Forest Service gravel road. The road provides many scenic views of the lakes and the mountains in the area as well as access to the historical Needle Eye tunnel. The Needle Eye tunnel is closed to all traffic.
Turn by Turn Directions
Mile Description
0.0 Start. Trailhead is marked by a Moffat Road historical marker and a Carsonite post for FDR 149.
5.5 FS 502 exits to the right to the Jenny Creek Trail. Stay left on FDR 149.
9.4 FS 808 exits to the right to the Jenny Creek Trail. Stay left on FDR 149 and curve around Yankee Doodle Lake.
10.1 FS 148 exits to the right. This short spur leads to a small parking area next to Jenny Lake.
12.0 End of Road. If desired, you can park here along the side of the road and hike the remaining 1/2 mile to Needle Eye Tunnel. Otherwise, turn around here and proceed back down the mountain.
Jenny Creek
The Jenny Creek trail provides a narrow, rocky route for those looking for a challenging four-wheel drive experience. Jenny Creek is considered an intermediate difficulty trail (5 out of 10) with a few rocky sections that can require lockers in wet conditions. In snowy conditions, a winch is required. The Jenny Creek trail is best suited for narrower, high-clearance vehicles.
Adopted Trails
** FR808, FR502 Adopted by Rising Sun 4WD Club
http://www.risingsun4x4club.org/
How To Get There
From Boulder, take Boulder Canyon Drive / Highway 119 South through Nederland to Rollinsville. Turn right on to Rollins Pass Road (CR16) and proceed West for 7.6 miles.
From Golden, take Highway 93 north toward Boulder. Turn left on to Golden Gate Canyon Road / Highway 46. Take Highway 46 west then turn right on to Highway 119. Take Highway 119 north to Rollinsville. Turn left on to Rollins Pass Road (CR16) and proceed West for 7.6 miles.
Trailhead is marked by a Moffat Road historical marker and a Carsonite post for FDR 149.
Trail System Photos
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Trail System Videos
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Trail System Information
Location:
Location is:
Trailhead
Nearest City:
Rollinsville
Difficulty:
2 - 5
Distance:
12 miles each way
Time:
3 to 4 hours
Elevation:
9213 to 11241 feet
Best For:
4WD
UTV/SxS
ATV
Motorcycle
Note that not all of the trails in an area will be open to all vehicle types. Follow the Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUM)s and signage for the area and ride only on trails open to and wider than your OHV.
More Info:
Boulder Ranger District, (303) 541-2500
Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland, (970) 295-6700
Trail System Maps and GPS Files
Click filename to download.
Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM)
Boulder Ranger District
Adobe Acrobat PDF (1555.8 KB)
STT_FS_ARNF_BRD_EastRollinsPass.gpx
GPS Exchange File (55.9." KB)
GPS track of the East Rollins Pass trail.
STT_FS_ARNF_BRD_EastRollinsPass.pdf
Adobe Acrobat PDF (50.7." KB)
PDF map of the East Rollins Pass trail.
Know Before You Go
- Maps and data files are from a variety of sources. Trail and area conditions vary widely and many trails and areas may have changed significantly since the map or data file was created. Use your discretion and check with the local land management agency before riding or driving on public lands. Ride and drive at your own risk. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE!
- Not all routes are open to all vehicles. Follow the Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUMs) and signage for the area and ride only on trails open to and wider than your OHV. Almost all trails in Colorado are subject to seasonal restrictions and closures. Visit the road and trail closure info page for more information. Call the responsible agency before making plans to ride in an area.
- All vehicles operated on designated OHV routes in Colorado must have a registration or permit issued by Colorado State Parks including those of non-residents. For more information, visit the State Parks OHV Program Page.
- Some vehicles such as ATVs and side-by-sides are never street legal in Colorado even if licensed and plated in their home state. These vehicles must have a valid Colorado OHV registration or permit to be used on trails on public lands in Colorado.
This symbol indicates areas where most routes are open only to licensed, street-legal vehicles. Please refer to the MVUM for designated ATV and dirt bike routes.
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