Berthoud Pass

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Berthoud Pass
View from the summit of Berthoud Pass
Elevation	11,307 ft./3446 m.
Location	Colorado, United States
Range	Rocky Mountains
Coordinates	39°47′52″N, 105°46′37″W
Traversed by	U.S. Highway 40

Berthoud Pass (pronounced /ˈbɝθəd/ BIRTH-ud), (el. 11,307 ft./3446 m.) is a high mountain pass in the Rocky Mountains of central Colorado in the United States.

The pass is located west of Denver, and provides a high route between upper Clear Creek Canyon to the upper valley of the Fraser River in Middle Park to the north. The pass traverses the continental divide at the Front Range, on the border between Clear Creek County and Grand County.

The pass is named for Edward L. Berthoud, the chief surveyor of the Colorado Central Railroad during the 1870s. Accompanied by Jim Bridger, Berthoud discovered the pass in July 1861 while surveying a possible route for the railroad. Berthoud reported that the pass was suitable as a wagon road, but not as a railroad. The pass has steep grades on either side (6.3%), along with winding switchbacks and many tight spots.

The pass is currently the route of U.S. Highway 40, north of its junction with Interstate 70 in Clear Creek Canyon. It provides the most convenient road access to Winter Park and Steamboat Springs from Denver and the Colorado Front Range. However, the pass is one of the most notoriously difficult passes in Colorado for motorists, based on its height as well as the large number of switchbacks on the southern side of the pass.

Once home to the now-defunct Berthoud Pass Ski Area, the pass is a destination for local backcountry skiers due to its abundance of steep and challenging terrain and plentiful snow. The twisting road on both sides of the pass also makes "car shuttles" possible, eliminating the need for skiers and snowboarders to hike back to the top of the pass after each run.

Currently, a new restroom building is being constructed at the top of the pass, along with a new summit marker sign and vending machines. The old facilities, which were shared with the old ski lodge, had been in use since the early 1950's.

The summit of Berthoud Pass is located at approximately 39°47′53.70″N, 105°46′36.88″W ^[1].

[edit] Avalanche

At approximately 10:30 MT on 6 January 2007, the pass was the site of a large avalanche measuring 200 feet (60 meters) wide and 15 feet (4.5 meters) deep. The snow crossed US Highway 40 at three different locations, sweeping at least two cars off the road. [1] As of noon the same day, seven people had been rescued alive, one of which needed medical attention, according to MSNBC.^{[citation needed]}