Waunita Pass
When looking at Waunita Pass on a map, it bears
resemblance to the scenic Cumberland Pass route to the
north. Both are located west of the mighty Sawatch Range.
They both stretch north - south, making their way to the
summit in a profusion of switchbacks. After examining the
contour lines more closely - or better yet - cycling over
the pass - reality corrects this impression. Waunita Pass
is a gentle forest road. Switchbacks are there to minimize
the grade, not force the way up the ridge.
click on profile for more detail
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1.(7950ft,mile00) START-END WEST:
Parlin
2.(8590ft,mile09) Ohio City ( neither in Ohio nor a
city )
3.(9180ft,mile16) southern end of Pitkin. Route
turns left and returns in the same direction that it
arrived but on the east side of Quartz creek.
4.(10303ft,mile20) TOP: Waunita Pass
5.(8990ft,mile26) START-END ALTERNATE EAST: Waunita
Park, turn right for Waunita Hot Springs and to
continue along the profile. Left leads to Black Sage
Pass.
6.(8060ft,mile35) START-END EAST: junction with US50
near Doyleville
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Approaches
From North. The summit of Waunita Pass is the lowest
summit accessed from Pitkin. It makes a nice contrast to the
monumental routes leaving north to Hancock Pass and Cumberland
Pass.
From South. The first part of the profile is an
elaborately maintained gravel road serving Waunita Hot Springs
traffic. Shortly past this point a pleasant climb leaves
Waunita Park over a series of forested hills with a steady,
low but definitely discernible grade.
Tours
Dayrides. A loop ride from Parlin, through Ohio
City, over Waunita Pass, returning through Waunita Hot Springs
back to the starting point, mesured 47 miles with 2940 ft of
climbing in 4.1 hours.
History.
Leadville Mining Boom. During the mining era Waunita
Pass was on the route of most Pitkin bound travellers. They
approached the pass from the south, from the site of present
day Sargents after having crossed a predecessor of Monarch
Pass This low pass was shorter than descending further into
the Gunnison Valley .
Even after Pitkin gained rail access through the legendary
alpine tunnel, the pass remained a popular route to Waunita
Hot Springs, an early resort for Pitkin residents. This
touristic quality helps explain the gentle grade of the
crossing. There was also some gold found south of the pass.
But the activity was short lived. By 1919, the pass was no
longer included in an official list of passes in the state.
But today is again marked on national forest maps.
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Colorado Pass Tables Page
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